Refers to: Ship Owners / Managers/ Operators, PHRS Representatives/ Surveyors             

Action Date: January 1st, 2019

The Chinese Ministry of Transport and China's Maritime Safety authority (MSA) have recently  (30/11/2018) took action on emissions regulations.

Specifically, an implementation plan was established by which three major
Domestic Emission Control Areas for Atmospheric Pollution from Vessels ( “DECAs”) have been designated to control and reduce emissions of atmospheric
pollutants including SOx, NOx, particulate matters (PMs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from vessels and to improve the air quality of coastal areas and inland river port cities.

Among other provisions of the new requirements, from 01-01-2019, all vessels entering or operating within the DECAs should use at all times fuel with 0.5% m/m sulfur content.


The designated Domestic Emission Control Areas for Atmospheric Pollution from vessels ( DECAs) are as follows:
 

• Coastal control areas: all sea areas and ports within 12 nautical miles of the baseline extension of the territorial waters excluding waters under the jurisdiction of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, the Hainan waters and ports.
• Inland control areas: The navigable waters of the main stream of the Yangtze River (from Shuifu, Yunnan to the mouth of the Liuhe River, Jiangsu) and the main stream of the Xijiang River (from Nanning, Guangxi to Zhaoqing, Guangdong).

More details on the exact geographic coverage of the designated DECAs and the control requirements on the SOx, NOx and PMs are shown in the  implementation plan, which can be found here, published by the Chinese Ministry of Transport and China's Maritime Safety authority (MSA).

 
In addition, the Chinese Authorities are promoting the use of shore power for vessels at berth.

February 14th, 2019 - PHRS Head Office