Despite the IMO’s approval for scrubbers as a safe bet for the new sulphur regulations, some local authorities of coastal countries are concerned about the washwater discharged from these scrubbers, reports the Gard.
To counter this they have come up with further local regulations. This is an insight on how to maneuver through these local restrictions.
What does the IMO say?
The IMO considers exhaust gas scrubbers to be an acceptable means of reducing vessels’ sulphur emissions and ensuring compliance with MARPOL Annex VI. A separate guideline, Resolution MEPC.259(68), specifies the requirements for the verification, testing, survey, and certification of scrubber systems and sets out the criteria for discharging scrubber washwater into the sea.
The Problem at Hand
However, some coastal states and ports have implemented local regulations with more stringent requirements that restrict or completely prohibit the discharge of washwater from open loop scrubbers or prohibit the use of scrubbers. We are currently aware of the following regions/states/ports with local regulations that have an effect on the discharge of exhaust gas scrubber washwater, although the list should not be considered as complete.
China
China’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) issued its ‘Notice on Regulating the Implementation of Supervision and Management of Ship Air Pollutant Emission Control Areas’ which states that from 1 January 2019 discharge of washwater from scrubbers is prohibited in the county’s inland emission control areas (ECAs), port water areas of coastal domestic ECAs and Bohai Bay waters. The document also states that a ban in the entire coastal domestic ECA will be announced in due course. Our local correspondent, Huatai, has published a useful circular on China’s ban on scrubber washwater discharge, which can be accessed here.
Singapore
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), discharge is prohibited in Singapore port waters from 1 January 2020. MPA has published useful guidance on IMO’s 2020 Sulphur limits which can be accessed here. The document advises ships fitted with open loop scrubbers to ‘carry out the switch to either closed-loop mode or to compliant fuel well in advance of the vessel’s arrival at the port waters’.
India
In DG Engineering Circular 05 of 2018, India seems to indicate that scrubber washwater discharges are allowed if the criteria set out in MEPC.259(68) are met. However, this is qualified with a requirement that local regulations should also be followed. As of now, it is not clear if local restrictions will be imposed in some areas.
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi: In 2013 Abu Dhabi authorities issued ‘Vessel Discharge and Maintenance Guidelines For Owners, Masters And Agents’. It states that scrubber washwater can be discharged in port waters if free form pollutants whilst scrubber sludge should be discharged from the vessel to an Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) licensed waste disposal contractor.
Fujairah: As per notice to mariners no. 252, Harbour Master of Fujairah has announced that use of open loop scrubbers will be banned in port waters. The circular can be found here.
Belgium
The European Commission’s 2016 note on discharge of scrubber washwater, bans the discharge in ports and inland waters. Relevant legislation is ‘Wet van 26 maart 1971 op de bescherming van de oppervlaktewateren tegen verontreiniging (Vlaams Gewest)’.
Germany
Discharge is not allowed in inland waterways and the Rhine, pursuant to Articles 1 and 3 of the CDNI Convention (Convention on the Collection, Deposit and Reception of Waste Produced during Navigation on the Rhine and Inland Waterways).
Lithuania
The authorities are currently studying the impact of scrubber washwater on the marine environment and will provide its conclusions upon completion of the study. Meanwhile, the current position seems to be that discharge is not allowed in port waters, according to port rules and conditions of use approved by the Ministry of Transport. Reference is made to the European Commission’s 2016 note on discharge of scrubber washwater.
Latvia
General position, as mentioned in the European Commission’s 2016 note, is that discharge is not allowed in territorial and port waters. Discussions are currently ongoing within the European Commission, on improving the regulations and to provide more clarity.
Ireland
Dublin: The Irish authorities’ Notice No. 37 of 2018 ‘Prohibition on the Discharge of Exhaust Gas Scrubber Wash Water’ stipulates that discharge of washwater is prohibited in waters under Dublin port jurisdiction. Dublin port jurisdiction includes waters from the Matt Talbot Memorial Bridge eastwards to a line from the Baily Lighthouse through the North and South Burford buoys and through Sorrento Point.
Waterford: As per Port of Waterford’s marine notice ‘Prohibition on the Discharge of Exhaust Gas Scrubber Wash Water’, discharge of scrubber washwater is prohibited in port limits from the start of January 2019.
Norway
The Norwegian Maritime Directorate (NMD) has proposed a ban on the use of scrubbers in the country’s heritage fjords. The proposed ban extends to all types of scrubbers including closed loop and hybrid systems. Norway is also proposing a prohibition of incineration of waste on board vessels in the world heritage fjords. Implementation is expected during first half of 2019.
Hawaii, USA
Conditional section 401 WQC (Water Quality Certification) as mentioned in section 6.7 of 2013 VGP allows for discharge of washwhater subject to certain requirements being fulfilled. These requirements can be found in the same section.
Connecticut, USA
Connecticut has laid down specific conditions as part of the 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) requirements. In accordance with section 6.5.9[UK1] of the 2013 VGP, discharge of exhaust gas scrubber washwater into Connecticut waters from any vessel covered under the VGP is prohibited. Please see CGS section 22a-427, and Connecticut Water Quality Standards (CT WQS).
California, USA
The CARB OGV (California Air Resource Board for Ocean Going Vessels) regulations do not permit the use of abatement technologies such as scrubbers, hence their use as well as any discharge of washwater is prohibited. However, pursuant to CARB’s Marine Notice 2017-1 discharge is permitted if the vessel has an experimental or temporary research permit.
Recommendations
Various other coastal states and ports are discussing enforcing similar bans citing the adverse effects of scrubber washwater on the marine environment. It is therefore likely that the above list of states/ports which currently regulate open loop scrubber discharges in their waters will grow over time. In those areas where the discharge of washwater is not permitted, vessel operators have two options to choose from to ensure compliance with the sulphur limits:
- use compliant fuel instead of open loop scrubbers
- switch over to closed loop mode of operation, in which case it will be necessary to convert currently installed open loop systems to closed loop or hybrid systems, if not already done.
How to plan the change?
Any changeover should be carried out well in advance of the vessel entering the areas with prohibition or restrictions in place. This will help in identifying operational issues, if any, after the changeover, and will allow for sufficient time to rectify such before the vessel enters the area.
Monitor Situation and Plan Ahead
Members and clients are advised to monitor the situation closely and ensure that crews onboard vessels fitted with open loop scrubbers are made aware of any relevant local discharge requirements in force. As a precautionary measure, it is advised that vessels with open loop scrubbers installed, approach the local agents for detailed up to date requirements on the discharge of scrubber washwater as part of a vessel’s voyage planning.
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Source: Gard
