MSA Fines Vessel for Pollutant Discharge in Bohai Sea: Inland Water Definition Remains Unclear

On the afternoon of August 4th, 2023, the MSA decided to impose a penalty ranging from 50,000 to 80,000 RMB on the subject vessel for violating pollutant discharge regulations in the BOHAI area after a meeting.

However, it is important to note that the baselines for the Bohai Sea waters have not been announced yet. According to the GB3552-2018 'DISCHARGE STANDARD FOR WATER POLLUTANTS FROM SHIPS,' the definition of INLAND WATER includes rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and other surface water bodies within the territory of the People's Republic of China.

As stated in term 4.1 of the regulation, all sewage should be collected in receiving facilities and prohibited from being discharged into the sea in INLAND WATER. Based on past experience, when enforcing these regulations, China MSA considers the area west of the connecting line between the west corner of Lao Tie Shan and Penglai Jiao as China's inland water, where all wastes from ships are strictly forbidden to be discharged.

According to the LAW OF MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, the subject vessel should be fined between RMB 20,000.00 and RMB 100,000.00.