The Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department has issued the attached notice dated 12 March 2015 about the new regulation prohibiting vessels from using any fuel oils with a sulphur content exceeding 0.5%.

According to the notice, the Regulation was submitted to the Legislative Council on 18 March and, if approved, would enter into force on 1 July 2015.  The Regulation requires the ocean-going vessels calling at Hong Kong ports to use a fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.5% while at berth in Hong Kong (except for the first hour after berthing and the last hour before departure), and to record the time and date of the vessels’ arrival/departure/fuel switching in the log book, and keep the relevant log book/bunker delivery notes on board for 3 years available for inspection by the Authority. Non-compliance with the Regulation may result in a penalty of up to HK$200,000 or a six month imprisonment

Members whose vessels are scheduled to call at Hong Kong after 1 July 2015 are reminded to pay attention to the compliance with the above Regulation.