Beijing’s anti-smog plans include steel cuts and shifting coal shipments from Tianjin

Amid record levels of pollution Beijing is looking at taking drastic measures including banning coal at the northeastern port of Tianjin. In a draft policy document seen by Reuters, the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) has also proposed getting steel and aluminum producers to slash more output, as well as shutting some fertilizer and drug plants.

The plan is to shift coal shipments from Tianjin – which is near the smoggy capital Beijing – to Tangshan 130 km further north. Tianjin port currently handles around 100m tonnes a year of coal.

In terms of the steel and aluminium cuts, Reuters estimates total annual output could fall by 8% and 17% respectively.