According to a Reuters report the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates has decided to ban the use of a type of ship exhaust cleaner, becoming the latest location to impose restrictions on so-called open-loop scrubbers, a port document showed.
The Sudden Rush
In recent months, many shipping companies have opted to fit scrubbers onboard their ships, ahead of major changes in the use of marine fuel across the world.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will prohibit ships from using fuels with sulfur content above 0.5 percent from Jan. 1, 2020, compared with 3.5 percent today, unless they are equipped with exhaust gas cleaning systems, known as scrubbers, to clean up sulfur emissions.
The Scrubbers Solution
Since the IMO’s rules were adopted, there have been moves to restrict the use of open-loop scrubbers in various jurisdictions. The other types of scrubber – closed-loop and hybrid – are still accepted for use in many locations.
Although open-loop scrubbers prevent sulfur emissions from ships escaping into the atmosphere, heavy metals and sulfur end up being discharged into seas with washing water.
Directive from the Port Authority
In a faxed document seen by Reuters, Fujairah’s harbor master said: “Please be advised that Port of Fujairah has decided to ban the use of open-loop scrubbers in its waters. Ships will have to use compliant fuel once the IMO 2020 sulfur cap comes into force.”
The document was sent to agents, bunkering companies and oil terminal users last Tuesday. Fujairah is one of the world’s busiest terminals, especially for shipments of oil from the Middle East Gulf.
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Source: reuters
