The MOT issued the Implementation Plan on China ECAs (the Plan 2018). The main contents of the Plan 2018 are summarized as follows:

I.                Geographical scope of China ECAs

China ECAs will include Coastal ECAs and Inland River ECAs.

Coastal ECAs.  As from January 1, 2019,
the scope of China ECAs will be expanded to the entire territorial sea of China.
According to the Plan 2018, the scope of ECA will be the sea area within the
straight lines joining the 60 geographic dots. Location of the 60 dots are
given in the Plan 2018. These 60 geographic dots are fixed at the distance of
12nm from China’s baseline of territorial sea, among which 20 dots are set out
to fix the ECA around Hainan Island (“Hainan ECA”). (see maps in page 6 and 7
of the attached Plan)

Inland River ECAs.  As from January 1, 2019, ECA requirements will also apply to the main route of Yangtze River (starting from Shuifu Port of Yun Nan Province to Liuhekou of Jiangsu Province) and the main route of Xijiang River (starting from Nanning Port of Guangxi Province to Zhaoqing Port of Guangdong Province).

II.             Emission Requirements of SOx

1.      As from 1 January 2019, seagoing ships entering China ECAs shall use fuel with sulphur content of no more than 0.5% m/m. Other ships shall use the fuel complying with the corresponding national standard.

2.      As from 1 January 2020. seagoing ships entering Inland River ECAs shall use fuel with sulphur content of no more than 0.1% m/m.

3.      As from 1 January 2022, seagoing ships entering Hainan ECA shall use fuel with sulphur content of no more than 0.1% m/m.

4.      The MOT will conduct an assessment and decide whether or not to request seagoing ships to use fuel with sulphur content of no more than 0.1% m/m in all Coastal ECAs as from January 1, 2025.