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ABS: China regulatory update on Tier II NOx limits

Regulation from 1 September affects imported and Chinese-flagged ships in domestic waterway transportation.
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Summary: ABS provides an update regarding a recent maritime environmental regulation at China that affects both imported and Chinese flagged international vessels applying for domestic waterway transportation that took effect on 1 September, 2018.

Background
ABS is aware that the recent announcement by the Chinese Ministry of Transport regarding the “Regulations on the Administration of Domestic Waterway Transport for Imported Ships” has raised a number of questions. One of the major concerns is how the regulation applies to ships built prior to 1 January 2011, i.e. ships with engines that have not been certified or have been certified to the IMO Tier I NOx limits under the original 1997 MARPOL Annex VI and NOx Technical Code (NTC).

What’s the Impact?
From the above announcement, we understand that from the 1 September 2018 engines on:

• any imported ship which intends to register in China and engage in domestic waterway transportation in China; and
• any Chinese flagged internationally sailing vessels applying for domestic waterway transportation,

must meet the Tier II NOx limits specified in the 2008 revised IMO MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 13.

This requirement is not applicable to foreign flagged vessels navigating in Chinese domestic waters.

Chinese domestic waters are defined as all inland waterways and rivers including coastal territorial waters up to 12nm from the coast. ABS understands, that engines on imported ships applying for Chinese domestic waterway transport, which were constructed before 1 January 2011, are acceptable, provided they are re-certified as compliant with the IMO Tier II NOx limit.

Further, ABS understands that such ships would require certification/recertification of all installed engines, in accordance with Regulation 13 of Annex VI, i.e. a Technical File approved in accordance with Annex VI and the NTC 2008 and associated Tier II EIAPP Certificate.

MARPOL Annex VI and the NTC underwent substantive amendment for the 2008 revisions, which included, among other things, changes to the emissions test procedures, analyzers and calculation methods. Recertifying a Tier I engine to the Tier II limits may therefore require engine adjustments and/or component changes, together with a recertification process that may require NOx emissions measurements to establish a new Engine Group. Alternatively, it may be possible to recertify the Tier I engine within an already established Tier II Engine Group.

However, ABS understands that the net changes of the 2008 Annex VI/NTC, including the test procedures, are consider to be considered ‘minor’, with respect to the NOx emission values and therefore the original measurement results (of a pre-2011 engine with NOx emissions below the Tier II limit) may be used in the recalculation for a new approved Technical File, for the purpose of establishing a new Engine Group to the IMO Tier II limit. This would need to be investigated and discussed on a case-by-case basis with the original certifying flag Administration.

The certification/recertification process would be applicable to all Tier I engines, regardless of whether the actual NOx emissions were above or below the Tier II limit. However this may be more challenging for those engines with emissions above the Tier II limit. In those cases it may be possible to upgrade the engine specification (adjustments and/or component changes) to meet the Tier II limit. This is effectively recertifying the engine as a member engine to another already established Tier II Engine Group, provided one exists for the applicable engine type, rating and specification. Or, with more difficulty, this may be achieved by establishing a new Engine Group based on further testbed or onboard emissions tests.

In those cases where the EIAPP Certificate has been issued by ABS based on the certificate issued by another Recognized Organization (RO) and the associated Technical File, the engine RO remains the engine RO throughout its service life. Any changes to an engine and associated Technical File/NOx certification, in the majority of cases, needs to be undertaken by the original engine RO since ABS does not hold the original supporting documentation on which the Engine Group has been established. There are however mechanisms for ABS to take over as engine RO if requested by the ship owner.

ABS Recommendation
ABS recommends that any proposed Tier I to Tier II NOx modification is discussed with the original Technical File compiler, typically the engine designer or licensee, to determine if they have any established Tier II engine groups for that engine type/rating/specification and what the technical, statutory and cost implications be to upgrade the engine to the Tier II specification and recertify.

We would also recommend engaging in dialogue with the vessel’s existing flag Administration, original engine certifying flag Administration (if different) and the Chinese Administration at the earliest opportunity to clarify the specific requirements for each vessel on a case-by-case basis. ABS Advisory Services and/or the ABS designated NOx technical offices (Busan, Hamburg, Houston, London and Yokohama) can support that process and advise regarding the specifics of any ABS approved NOx technical files.

Source: ABS (Readers requiring further information can consult the additional FAQ section available on the original document, or contact ABS directly)
Published: 4 September, 2018
 

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Methanol

World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to “Arctic Tern” via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel “M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan”.
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July 22, 2026

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World Fuel and partners complete first green methanol bunkering of car carrier in Shanghai

Marine fuel provider World Fuel on Tuesday (21 July) said it successfully completed the first green methanol bunkering of M/V Arctic Tern, with EUKOR Car Carriers and SIPG Energy at the Port of Shanghai. 

Arctic Tern is the first vessel in the new Shaper Class series of car carriers. 

The operation involved the delivery of approximately 2,800 MT of green methanol to Arctic Tern via a ship-to-ship transfer using SIPG Energy’s dedicated methanol bunkering vessel M/V Hai Gang Zhi Yuan, the largest vessel of its kind in operation. 

The bunkering operation was carried out at Haitong Terminal, Waigaoqiao Port Area, Shanghai Port, with cargo handling operations conducted simultaneously during bunkering.

This marks EUKOR Car Carriers’ first green methanol operation and the first time Arctic Tern has bunkered methanol since its delivery on 9 July. The operation marked the first bunkering at Shanghai Port of green methanol produced locally in Shanghai for an international PCTC operator. 

It also demonstrated the city’s integrated green methanol value chain, spanning local production, storage and bunkering, and established a replicable “Shanghai Model” for green methanol supply.

World Fuel arranged the supply and delivery of the fuel on behalf of EUKOR Car Carriers, working with SIPG Energy as the physical supplier at the Port of Shanghai.

The green methanol supplied was produced from municipal solid waste, ISCC-EU certified, and had a carbon intensity value below 25 gCO₂e/MJ.

Arctic Tern is the first of fourteen Shaper Class vessels ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen. With a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units and methanol dual-fuel capability, the vessel will be operated by EUKOR Car Carriers, jointly owned by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group. Following her first green methanol bunkering, Arctic Tern will continue her maiden voyage from Asia to Europe.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, said: “Completing Arctic Tern’s first green methanol bunkering shortly after delivery is a significant milestone towards our decarbonisation ambition for both EUKOR Car Carriers and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It demonstrates how investments in next-generation vessel technology and fuel flexibility are being translated into real-world operations. 

“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between all parties involved. Together, we have shown how partnerships across the maritime value chain can help make lower-emission fuels available and operationally viable at scale.”

Mark Tamsitt, SVP Global Marine Sales at World Fuel, said, “The first bunkering event with a new fuel is a significant moment for any shipowner, and our role is to make it as seamless as possible. By connecting EUKOR Car Carriers with SIPG Energy’s proven green methanol capability at the Port of Shanghai, we were able to deliver on reliable supply, fuel quality, and safe processes. As more of our customers bring methanol dual-fuel tonnage into service, we are committed to being the partner that makes these kinds of operations routine.”

Mr. Zhang Da, General Manager of SIPG Energy, said, “Welcoming Arctic Tern to the Port of Shanghai for her first green methanol bunkering demonstrates the strength and maturity of our supply capability. Building on our well-established methanol ship-to-ship bunkering services for container vessels, we have already extended such services to pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This bunkering sets a new record for the largest single SIMOPs green methanol bunkering for PCTCs in China, marking another step in building Shanghai’s position as a global green energy hub for international shipping.”

This operation follows Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s announcement on 9 July that Arctic Tern would complete her first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery. The vessel entered service on routes between Asia and Europe immediately following handover from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing.

 

Photo credit: World Fuel
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.
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July 22, 2026

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post. 

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity. 

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said. 

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term. 

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Related: Mabanaft Group renames as MB Energy, merging over 50 brands under one identity

 

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

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Environment

Indonesia to expedite removal of sunken Malaysia-flagged tanker “Silver Sincere”

Vessel sank while carrying about 1,000 mt of waste oil on 12 January 2025; the wreck was discovered in March 2025 and was found to have drifted about 13 nautical miles from its original sinking site.

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July 20, 2026

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Indonesia to expedite removal of sunken Malaysia-flagged tanker “Silver Sincere”

Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs on Tuesday (14 July) held a cross-agency coordination meeting to expedite efforts in handling the Malaysian-flagged tanker Silver Sincere that sank off Bintan Regency, Riau Islands.

The vessel sank while carrying about 1,000 metric tonnes (mt) of waste oil on 12 January 2025. 

According to authorities, the ship sank within Indonesian waters. After several surveys, the wreck was finally discovered in March 2025 and it was found to have shifted approximately 13 nautical miles from the initial sinking location.

The meeting was aimed to align cross-ministerial and institutional measures to expedite the handling of the Silver Sincere wreck while minimising risks to shipping safety, the marine environment, and national interests.

Deputy for Coordination of State Defense and National Unity Purwito Hadi Wardhono emphasised that the handling of the impact of the Silver Sincere sinking was the first case to be comprehensively coordinated, serving as a model for handling foreign vessels sinking within Indonesian jurisdiction.

Through this cross-sectoral coordination, the government will establish a clear and measurable framework that can serve as a reference for resolving similar cases in the future, while minimising state losses due to environmental pollution, damage to underwater ecosystems and infrastructure, and disruption to shipping lanes.

“The most important thing is to immediately stop and prevent the negative impacts of this ship sinking,” Purwito said.

“Therefore, a coordinating role is crucial, as maritime security governance involves various ministries and institutions with varying authorities, allowing for faster, more integrated, and more effective response,” he said. 

He added that the Silver Sincere was a Malaysian-flagged vessel that sank within Indonesian jurisdiction, and therefore, all handling processes must comply with the provisions of Indonesian laws and regulations.

In the meeting, Prof. Eko Ganis Sukoharsono, representing the SAE Energy Consulting Team, presented the results of an analysis based on 14 observation periods using Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery. 

The analysis results showed strong indications of a waste oil spill that has resulted in marine pollution, damage to the seabed due to shifting shipwrecks, disruption of coastal ecosystems and fishing grounds, and potentially threatening the livelihoods of fishing communities around the Riau Islands. 

Purwito added these findings further emphasise the importance of accelerating the removal of the shipwrecks to prevent widespread environmental impacts, maintain shipping safety, and avoid the potential for greater state losses.

The meeting brought together representatives of related ministries and institutions including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment, Attorney General’s Office.  

Related: MPA: Malaysia-registered tanker “Silver Sincere” sinks off Pedra Branca

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Julian T
Published: 20 July, 2026

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