Recently, the Inter-Ministerial Joint Session of National Major Oil Spill at Sea (the “Joint Session”) has published the Emergency Response Plan for National Significant Oil Spill at Sea (the “EPR”). The EPR shall be effective as of the date of issuance, i.e. 8 March 2018.

Impose a strict prohibition of washing deck.

Recently the Ministry of Environmental Protection and AQSIQ of China jointly released the formal document of national standard of Discharge Standard of Water Pollutants from Ships (GB 3552-2018 “Discharge Standard”) to substitute GB3552-83. The Discharge Standard is made out to suit for the requirements under both MARPOL and national laws and regulations. It will come into force as of 1st July 2018 whereas GB3552-83 will be repealed.

 

It is noted that the Provisions cover the pollution damage to marine environment not only caused by ships, but also by other sources, such as pollution from river or land. The pollution damage is not limited to oil pollution, but also HNS pollution. As far as pollution damage caused by ships is concerned, Article 12 of the Provisions specifies that the relevant law, regulations or judicial interpretations shall apply in priority.