China has published new regulations designating three areas as sulphur control areas effective January 1st 2019. Eleven key ports are allowed to impose requirements for fuel burned at berth as early as January 1st 2016. Mandatory port requirements will go into force January 1st 2017 for all ports in designated areas.On December 4th 2015, the Chinese Ministry of Transportation published new regulations designating parts of its coastal waters as emission control areas (ECA). Due to the growing recognition of how shipping contributes to air pollution along the coast, ships, including ocean-going vessels, which operate in areas near the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta and the Bohai Sea will be obliged to use fuel containing less than 0.5% sulphur from January 1st 2019.