The Yangtze River Administration under the Ministry of Transport has recently set up a special task force to speed up the vessel standardisation programme. Its deputy director Ruan Ruiwen and chief economist Zhao Hongxiang are heading the task force.

The administration announced the timetable for completing the programme last December. 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 and 100 per cent by the end of 2012. Half of all passenger cruises passing the Three Gorges will need to add waste treatment facilities by 2012, with the remaining half completing the renovation by the end of 2013. All smaller passenger vessels will be abolished by 2013. All old and non-standard vessels on the Yangtze trunkline will be withdrawn from service: 30 per cent by 2011, 70 per cent by 2012 and 100 per cent by 2013.

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