The number of shore power connections in China has not developed as quickly as was expected, according to views expressed by Gu Shuai, general manager of Shanghai Shore Power Energy Science Tech Co. Ltd, on the Chinese news service CCTV.
Gu noted that his company has been developing shore power systems for five years, but, with each system costing around RMB40M, the technology is an expensive proposition for Chinese ports. Furthermore, low oil prices have removed much of the financial incentive, and ship emissions in China have not been regulated as strictly as emissions in other sectors – all leading to a slower uptake rate for shore power.
With regard to the regulatory environment,under the scheme announced in December 2015, China created three port emission control zones: Zhujiang (Pearl River) Delta, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Bohai Sea. From 1 January 2016, the 11 “main” ports in these zones “may” require vessels to use fuel oil with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.5% m/m, or implement “equivalent emission reduction measures” at berth.
That requirement becomes mandatory at the main ports on 1 January 2017, and extends to all ports in the emission control area on 1 January 2018. From 1 January 2019, vessels must use fuel oil with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.5% m/m, or equivalent emission reduction measures, at any time that they are within an emissions control area (i.e. not just at berth).
By 31 December 2019, the regulator is required to evaluate the impact of the regulations and, if required, implement further measures. These could include dropping the sulphur content in fuel to 0.1% m/m, enlarging emissions areas,
and other measures.
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This complete item is approximately 500 words in length, and appeared in the September 2016 issue of WorldCargo News, on page 57. To access this issue download the PDF here.
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