China MSA Issues ECA Inspection Guidance for Officers

The Chinese MSA has provided guidance to its officers conducting inspections of vessels for compliance within China's ECA.

The West of England P&I Club Monday released a notice that the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) has provided guidance to MSA officers inspecting vessels for compliance within the Chinese Emissions Control Area (ECA).

Inspections are noted to be split between vessels using low sulfur bunker fuels and those using alternative methods of compliance measures within the ECA.

For vessels using low sulfur bunkers for compliance, the P&I club notes that MSA officers are to initially check vessel documents, reviewing engine logbooks and supporting papers, including those related to receipt and supply of bunkers, as well as those documenting fuel switching operations.

Any vessel found or suspected of being non-compliant with the ECA regulations will then be subject to sampling and testing of their bunkers, undertaken by the Chinese authorities.

"Failure of a vessel in this category to comply with the fuel oil usage requirements within the ECA will result in penalties based on the severity of the infringement," explained the P&I club, adding: "the punishments imposed could be a warning, a rectification of the violation, the arrest of the vessel or the imposition of financial penalties."

Fines for vessels found to be in non-compliance are noted to range from RMB 10,000 ($1,509) to RMB 100,000 ($15,087) under Article 106 of China's law on Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution, and RMB 20,000 ($3,017) under Article 63 of the Regulation on Administration of the Prevention and Control of Marine Environment Pollution Caused by Vessels.

For vessels using alternative compliance measures, including shore power, "clean energies," or exhaust gas scrubbers, officers are to conduct a document check of engine logbooks, fuel switching records, and vessel certification.

Such vessels found or suspected of being non-compliant, will then be subject to an onsite inspection of its ancillary facilities, with their operation conducted by the MSA.

Consequences for vessels found to be in non-compliance in this category are said to involve a warning, rectification of the violation, or arrest of the vessel.

"Should there be any departure of a vessel from the ECA prior to the completion of the examination by the MSA officer, the MSA will utilise their national inspectorate offices in the PRC to pursue a vessel calling at Chinese ports of call in the future," noted the P&I club.

The latest guidance issued by MSA comes in addition to notice issued to local MSA offices in February, detailing the requirements for ships calling ports within ECAs and consequences of non-compliance.

In July, Ship & Bunker reported that Hong Kong would enforce China's new ECA regulations in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), once they come into effect in 2019.