China ECAs Summary

From 1st January 2017, all the key ports (i.e. Tianjin, Qinhuangdao, Tangshan, Huanghua, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Suzhou and Nantong ) within the three China ECAs will implement the low sulphur bunker requirements. Please see attached and below the latest circular published by Huatai Insurance Agency & Consultant Service Ltd:

All the key ports within three ECAs in China are going to implement the low sulphur fuel requirement as from 01.01.2017.

Reference is made to our previous circular No.1510 on ECA issue in China, wherein we advised that MOT issued a new regulation on setting of three ECAs. Subsequently, we issued circular No. 1605 and No.1608 for introducing the implementation of low sulphur fuel requirement at key ports in Yangtze ECA and Shenzhen port in Pearl ECA.

As the deadline for implementing the low sulphur requirement in all key ports in the three ECAs are approaching, in order to remind owners to make appropriate preparation, we hereby summarize an overall timetable for implementing the low sulphur fuel in three ECAs in China for owner's reference as follows:

TimeSulphur Content RequirementApplicable AreaTime Period

From 01.04.2016	≤0.5%m/m	Key ports in Yangtze Delta ECA, including Shanghai, Ningbo -Zhoushan, Suzhou, Nantong;	Berthing period excluding one hour after berthing and one hour before departure;
From 01.10.2016	≤0.5%m/m	Shenzhen Port	Berthing period excluding one hour after berthing and one hour before departure;
From 01.01.2017	≤0.5%m/m	All Key ports with three ECAs, including Tianjin, Qinhuangdao, Tangshan, Huanghua, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Suzhou and Nantong	Berthing period excluding one hour after berthing and one hour before departure;
From 01.01.2018	≤0.5%m/m	All ports within ECAs	Whole berthing period
From 01.01.2019	≤0.5%m/m	Whole area of ECAs	Whole period when the ship is in the ECAs