Further to

published on 09 April 2015, the Association would like to remind its Members that the Air Pollution Control (Ocean Going Vessels) (Fuel at Berth) Regulation (the "Regulation") is coming into force on 1st July 2015.

All ocean going vessels (OGV), berthing at Hong Kong shall use compliant fuel during the prohibition period.

Compliant fuel is defined as:

a) Low sulphur marine fuel (with sulphur content not exceeding 0.5% by weight);

b) Liquefied natural gas; or

c) Any fuel that the Authority may approve as effectively reducing the emissions of sulphur dioxide to a level at least as low as the low sulphur marine fuel.

Prohibition period is defined as the berthing period of the vessel excluding:

a) The first hour of the berthing period; and

b) The last hour of the berthing period.

Any OGV using non-compliant fuel during the prohibition period will be committing an offence under the Regulation. The master and owner concerned may be prosecuted and, if convicted, would be liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for six months.

Record keeping and preservation of documents such as bunker delivery notes and log books also form part of the obligations under the new Regulations. Failure to comply with these requirements may lead to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for three months.

Details of the Regulation can be found at the link below:

Loss Prevention