- Environmental NGOs urge the OSPAR Commission to ban scrubber wastewater discharge within 12-nautical-mile coastal zones in the North-East Atlantic.
- Heavy fuel oil scrubbers harm marine ecosystems and increase risks of oil spills and climate-impacting emissions like Black Carbon.
- NGOs emphasize immediate action over waiting for IMO consensus, stressing regional responsibility to protect marine ecosystems.
Fourteen environmental groups, led by German NGO NABU, have petitioned the OSPAR Commission to impose a ban on scrubber wastewater discharge within 12-nautical-mile zones along the North-East Atlantic, North Sea, and English Channel coastlines, reports Bunker Spots.
Environmental Risks of Scrubbers
NABU highlights the dangers of heavy fuel oil scrubbers, citing their detrimental effects on marine ecosystems and their role in increasing oil spill risks and climate-damaging emissions, such as Black Carbon.
Sönke Diesener, NABU’s shipping expert, stresses the need for precautionary measures.
Regional Action Urged
The NGOs urge OSPAR to adopt a ban at its upcoming ministerial meeting, following Denmark’s lead.
They argue that regional action sets a strong precedent for tackling unsustainable practices and demonstrates a commitment to marine protection.
Call for Immediate Intervention
The letter stresses the urgency of action despite ongoing IMO discussions about scrubber emissions.
The NGOs warn that delaying a decision undermines progress on regional environmental protection in favor of protracted global-level debates.
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Source: Bunker Spot
