CMA CGM Introduces Low Sulphur Surcharge in China

November 1, 2018

French container shipping company CMA CGM is implementing low sulphur surcharge from/to the ports of Shanghai and Ningbo in China.

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Since October 1, 2018, the 0.5% sulphur limit is applicable to the abovementioned ports.

As informed, the company will impose the new surcharge as from November 15, 2018 (date of loading in the origin ports).

According to CMA CGM, the move comes in an effort “to ensure the sustainability and reliability of our (CMA CGM’s) services in a challenging environment.”

For the other ports of the People’s Republic of China, the 0.5% sulphur limit will be applicable as from January 1, 2019, the company added.

A few years ago, Chinese authorities decided to introduce sulphur limit for ships operating within three domestic emission control areas (ECAs). The country has been implementing in phases the low sulphur requirement for ships calling at its eleven core ports.

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 73) adopted last week the MARPOL amendment to prohibit the carriage of non-compliant fuel oil on board ships. As of January 1, 2020, ships will be banned from burning any marine fuel with a sulphur content above 0.5 pct. The exception will be ships fitted with exhaust cleaning technology, the so-called scrubbers.