The Yangtze River Administration under the Ministry of Transport has announced the timetable for completing its vessel standardisation programme. By the end of 2013 the average size of vessel on the Yangtze trunkline will rise from the current 780dwt to 1,000dwt. For single hull oil tankers and chemical tankers passing the Three Gorges Dam, 70 per cent will be dismantled or renovated by the end of 2011, rising to 100 per cent by the end of 2012. Half of all passenger cruise vessels passing the Three Gorges will need to add waste treatment facilities by 2012, with the other half due to complete the task by the end of 2013. All small passenger vessels will be removed by 2013, the same year that all old and non-standard vessels on the Yangtze trunkline will be withdrawn from service, with 30 per cent due to be gone by 2011 and 70 per cent by 2012.

The administration says that it will co-ordinate with local governments in supervising and subsidising the programme.