China is set to implement strict fuel standards for ships docked in Chinese ports to curb marine pollution that affect cities along the rivers and seas. (Photo : REUTERS)
Chinese authorities have finalized plans to set up strict fuel standards for large ships in an effort to slash marine emissions, the Ministry of Transport announced on Monday, Feb. 1, as reported by China Daily.
Li Qingping, a senior official at the ministry's Maritime Safety Administration, told a news conference in Beijing that once the rules are implemented, oxysulfide emissions from ships will be reduced by 65 percent and particulate emissions by 30 percent by 2020, as compared with current emissions.
According to the report, China's Pearl River and Yangtze River deltas and the Bohai Sea area have been established as emission control zones where the plan will first be implemented. Eleven ports in the zones, which include the ports in Shanghai and Tianjin, will also become key ports under stricter monitoring.
Li said that starting April 1, ships will be required to use fuel with sulphur content lower than or equal to 0.5 percent during their berth in core ports in the Yangtze River delta control zone, adding that from Jan. 1 next year, ships in all core ports must follow the same standard.
The reported added that the rule will be expanded to include all ports in the three control zones beginning on Jan. 1, 2018. Also, starting on Jan. 1, 2019, all ships will have to follow the rule once they enter control zones.
Li added that the government will introduce stricter rules on marine emissions, including reducing the standard of sulphur content to 0.1 percent and expanding the control zone by Dec. 31, 2019. He said foreign ships will have to follow the rule, as the ministry is working on an English-language document on the policy.
"There are enormous health and environmental consequences that come from marine emissions, affecting both port cities and inland areas. The regulation will lead to significant air quality improvements throughout the country," Li said.
According to data released by the ministry, marine emissions account for about 8 to 10 percent of Shanghai's PM2.5, which is airborne particulate matter that can penetrate the lungs and harm people.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection said that in 2013, marine oxysulfide emissions accounted for 8.4 percent of total oxysulfide emissions, while oxynitride emissions accounted for 11.3 percent of the total.
The ministry said that marine pollution has greatly affected port cities, as well as other cities along rivers.
Data from the Ministry of Transport in 2013 showed that China has more than 170,000 transport ships, with net deadweight of 240 million metric tons.
