China MSA has issued a Guidelines on supervising the implementation of ECA regulations. In accordance with the Guidelines, ships are required to correctly and accurately document bunkers changes on board, keep good record of bunker stemming certifications and any measures taken to prevent air pollution (like use of shore power, clean energy, exhaust air scrubbers etc.) MSA have the right to examine ships' documents and draw bunker samples for lab analysis, and upon finding use of substandard fuels, issue warnings, and/ or order correction actions, and/ or detain ships. Ships may also be imposed a fine up to RMB100,000 for failing to keep bunker stemming documentations and samples. A copy of the China MSA Guidelines and its free English translation provided by a local lawyer are available above.
From 1 September 2017, in Jiangsu and Zhenjiang provinces, the requirement of all ships at berth (1 hour after arrival and before departure are excluded) using low sulphur bunker (not exceeding 0.5%mm) is geographically expanded from the major ports to all ports within these two provinces.
Further to our note, China MSA recently issued the Notice on Strengthening the Supervision and Management on Emission Control Areas for Vessels including the Guideline of Supervision and Management on ECAs for Vessels.
