10% of ships tested in Shanghai fail new ECA ruling
One in ten of ships checked in Shanghai by authorities since new emission control area (ECA) rules came in this April have been found to be using high sulfur, incorrect fuel. The Shanghai Daily reports that 10 out of 100 ships checked in the last two months have been fined for carrying the wrong fuel.
Ship emissions account for about 10% of Shanghai’s PM2.5 pollution and the city is desperate to cut pollution. China is looking at Shanghai’s pilot ECA, which also includes the ports of Ningbo-Zhoushan, Suzhou and Nantong, with a view to possibly creating a nationwide ECA, which would have enormous ramifications for global shipping.
According to national regulations, vessels entering waters in the emission-controlled area must use fuel with a sulfur content of no more than 0.5%. The fuel they use when they are berthed should have a sulfur content of no more than 0.1%.
