BEIJING -- Legislators are deliberating regulating emissions from boats and ships as the country clamps down on air pollution.

According to a draft amendment to the Air Pollution Law, tabled to the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee for a second reading on Wednesday, ships on inland or river-to-sea waterways must use standard diesel as fuel to cut emissions.

Ocean-going vessels will also be required to use fuels that conform to China's environmental protection standards after stopping at Chinese ports, the draft read.

The shipping sector accounted for around 8.4 percent of China's sulphur dioxide emissions and 11.3 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions in 2013.

The country is also home to eight of the world's ten largest ports in terms of cargo handling capacities.

According to the draft, vessels at berth should operate on land-based power provided by the ports. Ports, both new and existing, must be equipped with shore power facilities, it added.