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NorthStandard publishes new pollution prevention regulations in Yangtze River

30 Mar 2023

Global marine insurer NorthStandard on Wednesday (22 March) released an article on a circular regarding new pollution prevention regulations in Yangtze River, including bunker fuel quality standards. 

To prevent and control pollution from ships in the Yangtze River, the Shanghai Municipality and Jiangsu Province have enforced new regulations which came into effect from 1st March 2023.

Club Correspondent Huatai Marine has issued a new circular PNI[2023]03 giving guidance on the new requirements. 

The applicable waters of Shanghai Regulations shall be: the navigable waters of Shanghai and the port waters under state authorized management (collectively referred to as the waters under the administration of Shanghai).

The applicable waters of Jiangsu Regulations shall be: the Yangtze River Waters in Jiangsu Province, which refers to Yangtze River main stream waters, including main stream bypaths, short-cut routes and its connecting harbour basin waters.

The new regulations refer to:

  • Use of shore power
  • Bunker quality standards
  • Transfer of bulk liquid cargo
  • Transfer of cargoes which emit toxic and harmful gases or dust
  • Shipboard emergency plan
  • Ballast water discharge
  • Discharge of washing water and residues from EGCS
  • Maintenance of the machinery

And prohibition on:

  • Discharge of untreated sewage and oily water
  • Sounding of ships whistle
  • Use of incinerators
  • Venting of toxic fumes

According to the circular, the new regulations respectively set the obligations for relevant subjects, including ships, port operators, ship repair yards, and bunker suppliers, regarding prevention and control of water and air pollution from ships, prevention and control of pollution from ship operations and ship emergency response, as well as the legal liabilities for violation of the regulations.

The circular stated the bunker fuel used by ships shall meet specified quality standards, bunker delivery note shall be kept for three years while the bunker fuel samples shall be kept for a year. 

Huatai commented in the circular that the requirement is consistent with paragraphs 6 and 8.1 of Regulation 18, Annex VI, MARPOL Convention on the retaining period of bunker delivery note and bunker sample, which shall be strictly complied with.

Note: The English and Mandarin versions of the full circular can be found here and here respectively.

 

Photo credit: NorthStandard / Huatai Marine
Published: 30 March, 2023

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