The South Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOF) has announced that from 1 September 2020, an air quality control programme that defines selected South Korean ports and areas as Emission Control Areas (ECA). The following ports/areas are covered by the air quality control programme: 

-Incheon, Pyeongtaek, Dangjin Area

-Yeosu, Gwangyang area

-Busan

-Busan(west) area

-Ulsan area

From 1 September 2020 until 31 December 2021, all vessels anchoring or mooring at Korea’s major ports(as described above) should comply with the 0.10 % limit for sulphur content in fuel oil or to mount an exhaust gas cleaning system to reduce SOx Emission. Ship Operators should record the Fuel change-over in the Engine logbook.

The timeframe for the sulfur oxide emission control area (Berthing or Anchoring vessel) is described below:

– Berthing vessel : 1 hour after completion of berthing until 1 hour before de-berthing time.

– Anchoring vessel : 1 hour after completion of anchoring until 1 hour before heaving up time.

On and after 1 January 2022, the 0.10 % sulfur limit will be extended to all vessels from the moment of entering until the moment of exiting the ECA.

Source: https://www.mof.go.kr/

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