The General Office of the People’s Government of Ningbo recently issued the “Administrative Measures for the Pilot Program of Bonded LNG Bunkering for International Navigation Vessels” in Ningbo Area of China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone for the trial Implementation of bonded LNG bunkering for international ships.
The “trial of bonded LNG bunkering for ships on international voyages” referred to in the “Administrative Measures” refers to the pilot project of providing bonded LNG bunkering for ships on international voyages within the Ningbo sea area and an exploration to accelerate the development of bunkering business.
The “Administrative Measures” are applicable to enterprises registered in Beilun District of Ningbo City (the administrative region where the Ningbo area is located) and engaged in the bunkering business of bonded LNG for ships on international voyages.
In the specific operation, the Management Bureau of Ningbo District will be responsible for coordinating and coordinating the pilot work and will take the lead in coordinating relevant functional departments such as the Ningbo Municipal Transport Bureau, Ningbo Customs District P.R.China, Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration Of People’s Republic Of China, and China Immigration Ningbo Inspection to establish consultations on major matters, emergency incident handling, joint working mechanisms such as safety production supervision.
Companies interested in joining the pilot project must submit their applications accompanied with five required documents to the Management Bureau of Ningbo District.
After the Management Bureau of Ningbo District receives the written application, it will communicate with relevant departments to conduct a joint review and the pilot project will then commence after approval.
The “Administrative Measures” proposes the following roles of stakeholders involved in the project:
- Management Bureau of Ningbo District is responsible for the management of the operating qualifications of the pilot enterprises.
- Ningbo Municipal Transport Bureau is responsible for the supervision and management of the port service industry of the pilot enterprises.
- Ningbo Customs District P.R.China is responsible for LNG bonded management and approval of bonded filling business. Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration is responsible for the safety supervision and management of water LNG bunkering operations.
- China Immigration Ningbo Inspection is responsible for the approval of administrative licenses for operations that rely on foreign ships during LNG bunkering.
- Ningbo Market regulatory administrative bureau, Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment, Ningbo Administration of Work Safety, Ningbo Fire and Rescue Detachment and other departments will coordinate management of the pilot refuelling according to their responsibilities.
The “Administrative Measures” shall come into force from the date of issuance of the companies’ approval with a trial period of two years.
The following are five documents companies would need to be submit with their applications to the Ningbo Area Management Committee to join the pilot project:
- A copy of the enterprise application report and business licence;
- Relevant certification documents for bunkering and leasing ships to carry out bunkering business shall provide a lease contract with a lease term of not less than one year;
- Ownership and safety documents of LNG bonded warehouses, loading and unloading terminals and their supporting facilities that meet the requirements of customs, ecological environment, transportation and other departments, and relevant qualification documents for boarding foreign ships that meet the requirements of border inspection;
- A bonded LNG bunkering business plan that specifies the procurement channels, warehousing logistics, delivery methods, target markets and major customers for the supply of bonded LNG marine fuel;
- LNG bunkering operations safety measures, safety and pollution prevention management system documents.
Disclaimer: The above article published by Manifold Times was sourced from China’s domestic market through a local correspondent. While considerable efforts have been taken to verify its accuracy through a professional translator and processed from sources believed to be reliable, no warranty is made regarding the accuracy, completeness and reliability of any information.
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Published: 25 October, 2022