In a major development, the Clean Shipping Alliance 2020 (CSA) calls for no bans on open-loop scrubbers, says an article published in Hands International Maritime Journal.
The Alliance which has now over 30 shipping companies announced this recently, prior to the beginning of the IMO MEPC74 held in the middle of this month.
Scrubbers Washwater Environment-friendly?
At various meetings with government representatives, CSA members have submitted scientific evidence to show that washwater discharge from scrubbers wastewater treatment is environment-friendly and well within legal limits. Some observers already saw the end of the open-loop scrubber. In addition, various ports and coastal states already had banned their use in their waters .
Ports Withdrew Decision
CSA board member Christopher Fee from the Lübeck-based shipping company Oldendorff now gave a positive example: “According to investigations by the Department of Transportation, Japan has now declared that it will not ban the use of open-loop scrubbers in its waters, and we hope that soon there will be further written confirmation”.
“It appears that some ports have withdrawn their previous decisions after more academic studies were made public.”
William Nugent, vice president of shipping at International Seaways, said in the statement “other port authorities would consider considering independent investigations and analysis before making decisions.”
Study examples in support of the claim
In support of their view, the CSA have issued a three-year study for the Carnival cruise group, the results of which were verified in February by the classification society DNV GL.
Based on 281 wash samples from 53 different scrubber-equipped vessels, the study concluded that the samples were well within acceptable IMO criteria and within the limits of other major standards.
The study carried out by the Japanese MLIT also concluded that the use of the technology can not cause any short- or long-term effects on marine organisms.
Emission Control Systems Effective?
Most scrubbers, according to the Alliance, are designed to remove the pollutants that contribute most to a wide range of serious health problems. Emission control systems not only remove most of the sulfur oxides (SOx) from the exhaust gases, but also up to 94% of particulate matter (PM), up to 60% of the black carbon (BC) and a significant proportion of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Hansa
