Regulation of ship-based atmospheric pollutant emissions expected to take effect
Release date:
2020-02-27
The Ministry of Transport recently issued the "Notice on Issuing the Implementation Plan for Ship Air Pollutant Emission Control Areas" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"), which outlines that establishing ship air pollutant emission control areas (hereinafter referred to as "Emission Control Areas") will help reduce sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides emitted by ships...
The Ministry of Transport recently issued the "Notice on Issuing the Implementation Plan for Ship Air Pollutant Emission Control Areas" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice"), which outlines that establishing ship air pollutant emission control areas (hereinafter referred to as "Emission Control Areas") will help reduce emissions of atmospheric pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds from ships, thereby continuously improving air quality in coastal and inland port cities.
Historically, constrained by conventional thinking, China's standards and regulatory requirements for ship pollutant emissions have long focused primarily on the discharge of wastewater and solid waste from vessels themselves. Even government agencies and civil society organizations, for an extended period, never considered implementing specific standards or oversight measures to control ships' emissions of air pollutants. Clearly, this traditional mindset is now being challenged by the pressing reality of the nation’s widespread concern over severe air pollution.
As early as 2015, when the "Emission Limits and Measurement Methods for Exhaust Pollutants from Marine Engines (China Phases I and II)" were publicly released for public consultation, it already sparked widespread calls from the public for stricter regulation of maritime air pollution. Recently, the "Three-Year Action Plan to Win the Battle for Blue Skies" explicitly stated that by the end of 2019, the scope of ship emission control areas would be adjusted and expanded to encompass key coastal ports. Meanwhile, in terms of standard-setting, standards such as "Marine Fuel Oil" and "Emission Limits and Measurement Methods for Exhaust Pollutants from Marine Engines (China Phases I and II)" have been progressively implemented.
Clearly, the issuance of the "Notice" has accelerated the breakdown and implementation of related tasks. Whether it’s the development of standards or the designation of emission control areas, the ultimate goal is to swiftly advance the enforcement of maritime air emission regulations. According to the "Notice," this plan applies to vessels navigating, anchoring, or operating within emission control zones in both coastal and inland waterway control areas. This means that ships—whether calling at coastal ports or operating on inland waterways—must comply with the relevant pollutant emission regulations.
The "Notice" clearly outlines control requirements covering four key areas—specifically, emission standards for sulfur oxides and particulate matter, nitrogen oxide emission controls, regulations for ship shore power usage while docked, and additional guidelines—totaling 17 detailed requirements. Among these, the emission controls for sulfur oxides and particulate matter are particularly critical to air pollution regulation, with several noteworthy highlights as well.
For instance, the Notice clearly states that, starting January 1, 2019, seagoing vessels entering emission control areas must use marine fuel with a sulfur content of no more than 0.5% m/m. Large inland vessels and those operating on direct river-sea routes are required to use fuel that meets the latest revised national standards for marine fuel oil, while other inland vessels must use diesel compliant with national standards. Additionally, from January 1, 2020, seagoing vessels entering inland control zones will be mandated to use marine fuel with a sulfur content of no more than 0.1% m/m.
For instance, the Notice also stipulates that, starting from March 1, 2020, ships entering emission control areas without adopting alternative measures such as sulfur oxide and particulate matter pollution control devices may only load and use marine fuels specifically designated for use under this scheme. Furthermore, beginning January 1, 2022, seagoing vessels entering the coastal control zone within Hainan’s waters must use marine fuels with a sulfur content of no more than 0.1% m/m.
It is easy to see that the Notice introduces phased emission requirements tailored to the overall air quality conditions in different waterways and inland rivers, reflecting a pragmatic approach rather than applying a one-size-fits-all standard. As a result, it is expected that ships in various regions will gradually adapt to the new regulatory standards—and ensure the timely upgrading or replacement of their vessel fuel systems in line with the specific requirements outlined in the Notice.
It should be noted that for a major country like ours, which relies heavily on frequent ship operations, the establishment of emission standards will have far-reaching and cascading effects. According to relevant statistics, China is a nation rich in inland waterway resources. As of the end of 2013, the country had 172,600 inland shipping vessels with a total net carrying capacity of 244 million tons. Among the world's top 10 busiest ports, China holds eight spots, accounting for roughly one-quarter of global cargo throughput. Meanwhile, the environmental pollution caused by maritime transport is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. Estimates indicate that in 2013, ships contributed about 8.4% of the nation's total sulfur dioxide emissions and 11.3% of its nitrogen oxide emissions. Port cities are particularly vulnerable to ship-related pollution, followed closely by urban areas located along major rivers and waterways.
From a journalist's perspective, based on the policy implementation path and underlying logic, China's relevant authorities have long been aware of the issue surrounding atmospheric pollutant emissions from ships. This is why they have been steadily advancing the upgrading of related standards while clearly defining emission control zones and scopes. After all, extending air pollution regulations to cover shipping vessels is a move that should be made as soon as possible—especially since ship-based atmospheric pollutant emissions are already posing a significant threat to China's current air quality, a risk that is particularly pronounced and severe in coastal and riverine regions where maritime transport activity is most intense.
Therefore, from this perspective, we can look forward to the issuance and implementation of the "Notice." It’s important to note that once the ship-based air pollutant emission control areas begin to operate as clearly outlined in the Notice, it will also mark the simultaneous enforcement of previously mentioned standards such as the "Marine Fuel Oil" guidelines and the "Emission Limits and Measurement Methods for Ship Engine Exhaust Pollutants (China Phases I and II)."
At that point, we’ll see a dual effect: first, the coordinated upgrading of relevant ship engine and marine fuel standards; and second, enhanced oversight and regulation by authorities at all levels, aligned with the new ship-based emission control zones. This strengthened collaboration and policy guidance will help clarify the future landscape of ship-based air pollutant emissions across China, ultimately contributing significantly to the ongoing improvement of air quality in coastal and inland port cities.
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