$55,000 Fine for Open-loop Scrubber Ban Violation

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According to a Dredging and Port Construction report, the Port of Hamburg authorities have imposed a record fine to a tanker that breached its open-loop scrubber ban.

What is the fine?

The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel received a EUR 50,000 (USD 55,000) fine on behalf of the Department of the Environment and Energy for an environmental breach. 

The fine was imposed following a routine check carried out by the local water police at the end of November 2019. 

What was the violation?

  • Officers found the tanker having an open-loop scrubber installed on board. 
  • Under the relevant CDNI convention, the discharge of wash water from such a scrubber into the river Elbe and into the Port of Hamburg is banned.
  • The vessel had discharged 2,300 tonnes of wash water in the port at the time of the inspection. 
  • The 43-year-old chief officer is being held responsible for the incident.

Hamburg port requirement

  • Vessels with open-loop scrubbers on board are required to switch to low-sulphur fuel in these waters.
  • The disposal of closed-loop wash water and solid scrubber waste is possible for a fee at the port reception facilities in Hamburg.

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Source: Dredging and Port Construction