The new rules apply to tankers, oil terminals and terminal loading and unloading facilities that are used for bulk oil transport, storage and other related operations in China's territorial waters - and to their owners, operators or other related parties.

The regulations, similar to those in the United States, require tankers or tanker companies operating in the mainland to establish a safety management and anti-pollution system and guarantee its effective operation.

A tanker and a single-point berthing facility will be required to possess technical certificates and ensure that their safety, anti-pollution and emergency equipment is kept in good working condition.

Tankers should possess documents in accordance with safety and anti-pollution regulations.

A ship that engages in bulk oil transport should possess oil-pollution liability insurance or other financial guarantees, provided and signed by an organisation recognised by the authorities.

Tanker crewmen must have undergone special training, been tested and issued with qualifying certificates before being employed on a vessel.

Terminals that engage in bulk oil transport, loading and unloading can start operations only after officials have checked and issued the operations permit. They can operate only within the defined boundary of their operations.

Before new construction, refurbishment or expansion of an oil terminal or its loading and unloading facilities begins, its owner or operator should first present to the authorities designs and drawings related to transport safety and pollution prevention for checks and verification.

After the project is completed, the owner or operator should obtain an operating permit.

The safety, anti-pollution and emergency equipment of an oil terminal and its facilities should meet state standards, and be complete and operable.

The owner or operator of an oil terminal and its loading and unloading facilities should establish and perfect a safety management system, and set up strict regulations.

Operational staff at an oil terminal and its loading and unloading facilities should be trained in equipment operation, work procedures, safety protection and emergency response.

Officials should be assigned to a post in the terminal only with the approval of the authorities.

The new regulation has been circulated to the Sea (Water) Supervision Bureaus, Port (Shipping) Supervision Institutes, Port Affairs Bureaus, Cosco head office, China Shipping Co, China Yangtze National Shipping Corp, Sinotrans head office and Penavico head office.