Sulfur content regulations for ship fuel within Chinese waters

Matko Rak -

Korean Register (KR) on 23 October 2023 published port information regarding the status of sulfur content regulations for ship fuel within Chinese territorial waters.

In response to frequent inquiries about recent Chinese coastal emission regulations, including those regarding sulfur levels in ship fuel and the use of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) in regulated areas, KR is sharing important port information.

This information is based on guidelines from the China Maritime Safety Administration, as of the date of this communication. Please review below attached documents for details.

Sulfur Limit Implementation:

  1. Starting January 1, 2020, the sulfur content in ship fuel used in international voyages within Chinese waters should not exceed 0.50% m/m. This applies to all fuel intended for combustion on board, including distillate and residual fuels.
  2. As of January 1, 2020, when operating in inland river emission control areas, the sulfur content in ship fuel should not exceed 0.1% m/m. This requirement extends to the coastal emission control area in Hainan waters from January 1, 2022.
  3. Ships with alternative emission-reduction measures, such as Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems complying with MARPOL Annex VI, may be exempt from the above requirements. Open-loop exhaust gas cleaning system wash water discharge into Domestic Emission Control Areas (DECA) waters is prohibited as of January 1, 2020.

In addition to the above, below attached files contain information on Fuel Oil Non-Availability Reports (FONAR), reporting non-compliant fuel oil, and the supervision and management of fuel oil suppliers. Please refer to these resources as needed.

Please note that while this information is based on China Maritime Safety Administration guidelines, specific regulations or additional requirements for a particular port should be verified separately with the port's agent or local port authorities at the port of call.

LINK TO THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE AND THE DOCUMENTS