China to enforce low sulphur ECA at Yangtze River Delta ports from 1

The Yangtze River Delta is the first of three major port areas to make a 0.5% ECA compulsory. A circular from P&I club Skuld said meant the rules will become compulsory in Yangtze River core ports - Shanghai port, Zhoushan port, Ningbo port, Suzhou port including Zhanjiagang, Changshu and Taicang, Nantong port – from the beginning of April.

China’s Ministry of Transport announced in December last year plans to set up three ECAs the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta and Bohai-rim waters.

Until the end of 2017 ships will be required to use fuel of less than 0.5% sulphur content while berthing excluding the one hour before departure and arrival. From 2018 the requirement to burn low sulphur will be extended to the whole duration of berthing and from 2019 the entire time a vessel is within the ECA area.

Before the end of 2019 the Chinese government will evaluate the effectiveness of the ECAs and decide whether to reduce the sulphur content to below 0.1%, enlarge the ECAs or other measures.

Add Seatrade Maritime News to your Google News feed.

China to enforce low sulphur ECA at Yangtze River Delta ports from 1 April