China Ministry of Transport releases guidance on pollution control

China’s Ministry of Transport has officially released an implementation plan to control ship and port pollution for the next five years.

According to the release the ministry said by 2020 sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides emission in the regions of Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta and Bohai Rim will be decreased by 65%, 20% and 30% respectively as compared with 2015. About 90% of ships will use shore power at major ports while about 50% of container terminals, passenger roro terminals and cruise terminals will be capable of providing shore power. All the coal and iron ore dockyards at major ports will also have wind and dust suppression facilities.

By 2020 all the major coastal and river ports and shipyards will be capable of disposing tank washings and ship sewage.

The ministry is currently promoting the development of ECAs in major port areas, and is working on these regulations.