Hong Kong has released its Air Pollution Control (Fuel for Vessels) Regulation that requires all ocean-going vessels to comply with the 0.5 per cent sulphur in fuel oil limit when visiting the port, from January 1, 2019.
The regulation states that ships may use low sulphur marine fuel, liquefied natural gas (LNG), or another fuel approved by the Authority.
The main object of the regulation is to provide for the mandatory use of certain fuels by vessels when they are in the waters of Hong Kong. It also provides for the requirement to keep records and documents in respect of certain vessels
Any ship not complying will be subject to conviction and a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for 6 months. Exemptions are made for those that have exercised all due diligence to prevent non-compliance, but have either been misled by the fuel supplier, had difficulty in obtaining compliant fuel, or found themselves in an emergency situation without low sulphur fuel to hand.
The regulation states that a vessel must keep a record of its time and date entering Hong Kong waters and when a fuel switch operation to compliant fuel takes place. The volume and sulphur content of the fuel must be specified and the switch back to non-compliant fuel when leaving Hong Kong waters must also be recorded. If the Authority requests a copy of these documents and the owner or operator is unable to supply them, that person has committed an offence and may be liable on conviction to a fine at level 5 and to imprisonment for 3 months.
Sources:VPO
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