MOT and other 12 ministries jointly issue the Guideline to Strengthen Security and Supervision of Supply of Low-Sulphur Fuel (“Guideline”). The Guideline requires the relevant governmental departments to coordinate one another, formulate an optimized system to promote, guarantee and supervise the supply of low-sulphur fuel used by vessels in order to reach the emission target of ECAs and MARPOL.

According to the revised MARPOL Annex VI, the global sulphur cap will be reduced from current 3.50% to 0.50%, effective from 1 January 2020, China will set up a basic supply system of low-sulphur fuel to motivate domestic refining companies to produce the complying fuel, and promote the exchange of information among refining companies, sale companies and shipping companies.

The business license for supplying fuel in a certain port is abolished, and thus the oil companies are allowed to sell low-sulphur fuel transregionally.

The Guideline makes it clear that it will set up a credit profile of producer, seller, and user of the marine fuels. The dishonest party will be punished and put on the bulletin board of certain public domains.