- Members have the option to use “equivalent” compliance mechanisms like Scrubbers in accordance with Regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI.
- A growing number of ports are prohibiting the use of scrubbers using the “open loop” system affecting their jurisdiction.
- Members are invited to note the listed information on these ports and forward it to alert their member companies ;
- And to update the Secretariat about any other ports similarly identified by their member companies.
Please find below, circular from the International Chamber of Shipping, listing the ports and areas that have prohibited the use of open loop scrubbers.
Earlier Technical Update
The Viswa Group requests that the reader also refer to the Technical Update 2019/01/01 – China announces a ban on open loop scrubbers.
Action Required
Members are invited to note the information on the list of ports around the world that have prohibited the use of open loop exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) and to forward it to their member companies for immediate attention. Members are also invited to update the Secretariat about any other ports that their member companies identify as prohibiting the use of this technology.
Members are aware of the IMO Global sulphur cap of 0.50% sulphur applicable to all marine fuels as from 1st January 2020. Members will also be aware that in addition to using compliant fuel to meet this requirement, there also exists the option to use “equivalent” compliance mechanisms in accordance with Regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI, one of which is the use of Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) commonly known as Scrubbers.
It has come to the Secretariat’s attention that a growing number of ports around the world have unilaterally decided to prohibit the use of scrubbers using the “open loop” system in and around some or all of the ports in their jurisdiction. In the open loop system, the wastewater formed after the exhaust gas cleaning process is treated and discharged back into the sea.
Based on initial feedback received from Members, the Secretariat has compiled the below list of known ports and sea areas that have prohibited the use of open loop scrubbers.
LIST OF PORTS AND SEA AREA THAT HAVE PROHIBITED THE USE OF OPEN LOOP SCRUBBERS
COUNTRY | PORT/SEA AREA |
Belgium | Antwerp |
China | All ports and rivers |
Bohai Rim DECA | |
Denmark | Aalborg |
Frederecia | |
Kalundborg | |
Finland | Porvoo |
France | Port Jerome |
Seine River | |
Le Havre | |
Ambes | |
Germany | Weser ports |
Elbe ports | |
Kiel canal ports | |
Rostock | |
Gibraltar | Gibraltar |
Italy | Ravenna |
Latvia | Ventspills |
Lithuania | Klaipeda |
Norway | Glomfjord |
Portugal | Lisbon |
Russia | Primorsk |
St. Petersburg | |
Singapore | Singapore |
Spain | Algeciras |
Cartagena | |
Huelva | |
Sweden | Brofjorden |
Gavle | |
Norrkoping | |
Umea | |
Sundsvall | |
Skelleftehamn | |
United Kingdom | Finnart |
Hull |
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Source: Viswa Lab