In line with the IMO global sulphur cap (0.5%) and to reduce emissions from ships in its ports, the South Korea Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOF) has introduced the Special Act on Improving Air Quality in Port Areas, Etc., beginning on January 1st 2020 to limit ship sulphur emission and vessel speed.

I.    South Korea’s Emission Control Area (ECA)

1.   Effective date: September 1st, 2020

2.   ECAs:

Incheon area

Pyeongtaek & Dangjin area

Yeosu & Gwangyang area

Busan area

Ulsan area

3.   Sulphur restrictions

• From September 1st, 2020 to December 31st, 2021, vessels will be required to use maximum 0.1% sulphur fuel when berthing/anchoring for the times set out below:

-          Berthing: 1 hour after completion of berthing until 1 hour before de-berthing.

-          Anchoring: 1 hour after completion of anchoring until 1 hour before leaving anchor.

• From January 1st, 2021, it will be mandatory to use fuel with maximum 0.1% sulphur content, or approved alternatives including LNG and Exhaust Gas Scrubber, while navigating ECAs.

4.   Recommendations

    1) Confirm with local agents or port authorities for detailed emission control requirements prior to arrival.

    2) Revisit bunkering strategies and fuel change-over procedures to ensure compliance with the new limits.

    3) Retain onboard bunker delivery notes (BDN) and representative samples for inspection.

    4) Keep a record of the date, time and position of ship’s arrival and departure in the port, and of the commencement and completion of fuel change-over operations or use of equivalent measures.

    5) Check the International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) Certificate/Record when using alternative measures.

II.   Voluntary Ship Speed Reduction Incentive

The incentive, implemented as early as December 2019, applies to 5 major Korean ports, namely the ports of Busan, Ulsan, Yeosu-Gwangyang and Incheon. Each sea area will span 20 nautical miles in radius, measured from a specific lighthouse in each port. Ocean-going ships that are no smaller than 3,000 tons will enjoy port entry/leave fee discounts when they sail at a speed below certain levels (12 knots for container ship and car carrier; 10 knots for other ship types). The discount ceiling differs by each port – container ships, which enters port fast and can have huge effect on reducing fine dust, will enjoy up to 30% discount, while other ships will enjoy up to 15% discount.

For more information on the vessel speed reduction incentive and eligible ships, please refer to the MOF announcement through the following link:

http://www.mof.go.kr/eng/article/view.do?articleKey=28138&boardKey=41&menuKey=485&currentPageNo=1

III.ECAs set by other countries and regions

A number of regions, states and ports around the world have implemented their own strict sulphur emission limits – and the list of such places is likely to grow in the future. Ship operators must therefore ensure crews are familiar with the sulphur emission limits in force in the jurisdiction to which they trade. Crews should also be provided with clear procedures and guidance to this effect. Here’s a summary of ECAs where maximum 0.1% sulphur fuel is required.

For more information, please contact your manager at the Club.