Hong Kong

Dark Smoke Emissions from Ships

New legislation has entered into force in Hong Kong (18 July 2014 ) to control dark smoke emissions from ships.

It is an offence for any ship in Hong Kong waters to emit smoke continuously for three minutes or more which is as dark as, or darker than, Shade 2 on the Ringelmann Chart.

Ships that contravene this requirement, the owner, agent and the ship's master will each commit an offence and shall be liable for a fine of HK$ 25,000 on first conviction, and HK$ 50,000 for any subsequent conviction.

Click here to read a copy of Marine Department Notice No. 92 of 2014, which includes a basic Ringelmann Smoke Chart.