China Wants Stronger Maritime Emissions Regulations
Aiswarya Lakshmi
June 25, 2015
China's government is moving forward with plans to bring in legislation to control emissions from ships as the country looks to reduce air pollution, state media Xinhua said.
According to a draft amendment to the Air Pollution Law, tabled to the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee for a second reading, ships on inland or river-to-sea waterways must use standard diesel as fuel to cut emissions.
Ocean-going vessels will also be required to use fuels that conform to China's environmental protection standards after stopping at Chinese ports, the draft read.
The shipping sector accounted for around 8.4 percent of China's sulphur dioxide emissions and 11.3 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions in 2013.
The country is also home to eight of the world's 10 largest ports in terms of cargo handling capacities.
According to the draft, vessels at berth should operate on land-based power provided by the ports. Ports, both new and existing, must be equipped with shore power facilities, it added.
The draft law amendment comes as China continues trying to rein in rampant air pollution.
