Hong Kong

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01 January 2019

Cap. 311AB Air Pollution Control (Fuel for Vessels) Regulation replaces the previous ‘at berth’ fuel rules and sets a 0.5%m/m fuel sulphur limit for vessels operating within Hong Kong waters, including at berth. Scrubbers can be used as an alternative method of compliance subject to grant of an exemption (application to be submitted at least 14 days before first arrival or exemption expiry):

There appears to be no restriction on the use of open loop scrubbers in port written into the Hong Kong legislation or in an accompanying government press release:

Compliant fuel required by the Regulation includes low-sulphur marine fuel with sulphur content not exceeding 0.5 per cent, liquefied natural gas or any other fuel approved by the Director of Environmental Protection. If a vessel uses emission reduction technology that can achieve the same or less emission of sulphur dioxide when compared with using low-sulphur marine fuel, it may be exempted from using compliant fuel. (Click for the full press release)

July 2015

Hong Kong is a special administrative region within the Pearl River Delta.

Cap. 311AA Air Pollution Control (Ocean Going Vessels) (Fuel at Berth) Regulation – [now replaced by Cap.311AB] sets a 0.5%m/m fuel sulphur limit for vessels at berth.

Scrubbers are allowed as an alternative method of compliance, however the exemption requires an application to be submitted at least 14 days before arrival:

Are there any exemptions?

A vessel may be exempted from using compliant fuel if that vessel uses technology which can reduce SO2 reduction at least as effectively as using low sulphur marine fuel or the compliance with the fuel switch at berth requirement will pose a risk to the safety of the vessel.

Application for exemption must be in writing in a specified form with supporting documents to the Environmental Protection Department at least 14 days in advance.

A link to  “A Guide to the Air Pollution Control (Ocean Going Vessels)(Fuel at Berth) Regulation” can be found at https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/guide-air-pollution-control-ocean-going-vesselsfuel-berth-regulation.html

Taiwan

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Updates

In updates January 23 and February 5, 2019, Japan P&I Club and Gard reported that the ports of MiaLiao and Hoping would adopt the Ministry of Transport and Communications low sulphur regulations. The MiaLiao 0.5% fuel sulphur limit applies up to 12 nautical miles from the west breakwater lighthouse, and alongside or at anchor.

Effective January 1, 2019

A news article on Taiwan’s Maritime and Port Bureau website titled “Returning clean air to the people, seven major, international commercial ports adopt the low-sulfur fuel policy for implementation next year” confirmed that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications had adopted Article 75 of the Commercial Port Law on July 31, 2018 which requires ships from international routes entering Kaohsiung, Taichung, Keelung, Taipei, Hualien, Suao, and Anping international commercial ports to use low-sulfur fuel with a sulfur content of 0.5% or less, or a device or alternative fuel with equivalent abatement effects beginning January 1, 2019.

Port limits can be found at https://www.twport.com.tw/en/cp.aspx?n=24926B8167A3C236

The article goes on to say “ships will be required to attach oil change records, bunker delivery notes, and the names of the last 10 ports of calling and respective arrival and departure dates prior to entering the port. Ships equipped with the same emission reduction effect (such as Scrubber) will need approval by the accreditation body (RO) and documented in the certificate. The port state control inspectors will select the target ship according to the selection system to perform spot checks on the vessel. The inspection focuses on the documents, relevant data records, and reports which should be prepared, whether the crew is familiar with the operation of the facility, and whether the oil tank outlet valve has a switchover and whether the fuel heater outlet temperature and viscosity meet the requirements of the oil change procedure“.