Zhoushan inspects ships to mark World Environment Day

Officials inspect a chemical cargo ship at Mazhi anchorage, Putuo district, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province on June 4. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

A special joint inspection of ships was conducted on June 4 in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province to mark the World Environment Day on June 5 and raise environmental awareness.

The city's maritime authorities collaborated with the departments of environment, ocean, and fishing in Putuo district to conduct a thorough inspection of the pollutant receiving, transferring and disposal systems of ships at the district’s Mazhi anchorage, as well as publicize laws which prevent ships from polluting oceans. 

"The inspection results turned out good overall. Still, problems exist due to a lack of training on garbage management. We've already asked ships and related companies to rectify these problems, and we will be tracking their progress," said maritime official Xu Hongda.

Pollutants from ships used to be secretly discharged or leaked during the process of receiving, transferring and disposal due to a lack of communication among regulation departments and inefficient treatment of garbage, resulting in secondary pollution, said Yu Liangliang, an official from Putuo's environment department.

Yu added that seamless supervision of ship pollutant disposal systems has become standard since joint regulation by multiple departments started last year. 

An oil collection ship was also dispatched on June 4 for clean-up in local ports.