(Yicai Global) Sept. 23 -- Vessels that anchor at harbors along the Yangtze River, the world’s busiest navigable waters that link Shanghai on the coast with Chongqing in the inland west, must use electricity provided by the wharfs and not burn fuel to generate power in order to reduce pollution, the Ministry of Transport said yesterday.

Ships that dock along river harbors for over two hours, and those that moor at sea ports for more than three hours, should pay for power supplied by the wharfs, the ministry said. Those that fail to comply will be fined a maximum of CNY500,000 (USD77,328).

“Using the electricity provided onshore is quite convenient and is half the price of burning fuel,” a vessel owner told Yicai Global. “There is a quick response code that I can scan to pay the fees. I can also sleep better at night as before I used to worry that the water tank would run dry while burning fuel,” he added.

Local governments should also ensure there are adequate charging facilities at their harbors, the ministry said. Ships that burn fuel to generate power emit sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and other noxious particles that damage the ecosystem and people’s health.

Nantong in eastern Jiangsu province, for instance, offers 240 sets of smart charging piles at 72 wharves and 178 berths all of which are linked with the environmental protection system along the Yangtze River.

Editors: Zhang Yushuo, Kim Taylor