CHINA will apply EU-like controls on ship emissions on three key port areas from January to reduce sulphur dioxide which results in acid rain, causing respiratory difficulties and premature death, said the Ministry of Transport.
Hong Kong made it mandatory in July for merchant ships to switch to low-sulphur fuel. Neighbouring Shenzhen launched a voluntary fuel-switching scheme in July this year.
If enforced, this would force greater supplies of low-sulphur fuel, Reuters reports. The ministry gave no details on how the new emissions rules would be enforced or penalties for non-compliance.
The new rules will apply to ships in the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta and the Bohai Bay rim, a measure aimed at cutting sulphur dioxide 65 per cent by 2020 from the 2015 level, according to the ministry.
Similar emissions control areas exist in the North Sea and the North American coast.
Ships berthed at ports within the three Chinese emissions control zones will start using bunker fuel with a maximum sulphur dioxide (SO2) content of 0.5 per cent from January 2016, the ministry said.
Enforcement of the new emission measures will initially be up to individual ports, but the controls will be toughened in 2017 to cover all key ports in the three control areas.
The UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which regulates merchant shipping, plans to introduce a global cap on ship emissions in either 2020 or 2025.
WORLD SHIPPING
11 December 2015 - 22:21
EU-like ship emission controls to hit Pearl, Yangtze, Bohai regions
CHINA will apply EU-like controls on ship emissions on three key port areas from January to reduce sulphur dioxide which results in acid rain, causing respiratory difficulties and premature death, said the Ministry of Transport.
WORLD SHIPPING
11 December 2015 - 22:21
EU-like ship emission controls to hit Pearl, Yangtze, Bohai regions
This news 3888 hits received.
These news may also interest you