Web Alert: Chinese Regulation on Data Collection for Energy Consumption of Ships

Members are advised that a new regulation on data collection for energy consumption of ships has been enacted by the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) which came into force on 1 January 2019.

As per the new regulation, applicable ships calling at Chinese ports shall submit to the MSA the 'Data Report Format for Energy Consumption of Ships', containing information of the last voyage before leaving the port.

The principal points of the new regulation are:

• The regulation applies to all ships of 400gt and above, or powered by engines of 750kW and ​above with the exception of warships and fishing vessels, regardless of flag.
• Reports using the format 'Data Report Format for the Energy Consumption of Ships' (included as an annex to the attached document) are to be submitted to the reporting portal for ships.
• Reports for the last completed voyage (ie voyage preceding arrival in a Chinese port) are to be submitted each time the vessel is leaving a Chinese port.
• There are exemptions for Chinese flag vessels, ferries, feeders in short sea shipping.
• In the case of non-Chinese flag vessels, reports must be submitted by the ship agent. The shipowner/operator will most probably provide a report to the agent who will then upload it to the MSA portal using the agent’s account.
• The report is to be transmitted to the MSA portal at the time of issuing the port departure report/port clearance report.
• A ship may be exempted from the per voyage reporting and report to the MSA on a monthly basis if trading within a fixed region and the time underway per voyage is 4 hours or less, or sailing on fixed route and the time underway per voyage is 12 hours or less.

For further information, members may wish to refer to the unofficial translation of the regulation text in the attachment on the right. Ships calling Chinese ports are recommended to ensure compliance with relevant requirements.