China is mulling new rules on fuel quality and emissions for shipping, according to Environment Protection Ministry official Xiong Yuehui.

“Environmental pollution problems caused by shipping are becoming more evident," Xiong wrote in a statement on the ministry’s website, estimating that the shipping sector accounted for 8.4% of China's SOx and 11.3% of NOx emissions in 2013.

According to Reuters, the ministry is reportedly seeking public support for the regulation, which, if passed, would comprise part of China’s popular pollution reduction programme.

If given the go-ahead, the regulation could form yet another regional ruling, causing what ICS recently described as "chaos" for shipping.