IMO 2020 Sulphur Cap – Scrubbers - A Country Guide
The following table lists countries which have imposed bans on vessels fitted with open-loop SOx scrubbers calling at their ports, and on the discharge of washwater from these scrubber systems within their port waters. The information in the table, which is not exhaustive, is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. The table will be updated as and when additional information comes through. Members are recommended to check for any potential adoption of additional requirements and changes to the current regulations prior to their vessels calling at these ports.
If Members have any questions relating to the IMO 2020 sulphur cap, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your usual Club contact who will be pleased to assist you.
Updated 18/10/2019
| Country | Is there a ban on open-loop scrubbers? | If not, is there a ban on the discharge of scrubber wash water within port waters? | Regulations |
| Australia | No, but under review | No, but under review | EPA 2015/0695 (different regs for cruiseships) |
| Belgium | Yes | Yes, within 3nm of coast | No specific provisions |
| China | Yes, as of 01/01/19, in the waters of Inland River ECA, ports within Coastal ECAs and Bohai-rim Sea Area | Yes | Click here for Regulations |
| China - Hong Kong | No | Yes | Air Pollution Control (Ocean Going Vessels) |
| Denmark – Aalborg, Frederecia, Kalundborg | Yes | ||
| Finland – Porvoo | Yes | ||
| France – Port Jerome, Le Havre, Ambes and Seine River | Yes | ||
| Germany – Wesser ports, Elbe ports, Kiel canal ports and Rostock | Yes | Yes, in certain ports and Kiel Canal | § 13 Abs. 7 SeeUmweltverhaltensverordnung |
| Ireland - Dublin, Waterford and Cork | Yes | Yes | Regulations here |
| Italy – Ravenna | Yes | ||
| Japan | No | Yes | No specific provisions are currently available |
| Latvia - Ventspills | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| Lithuania - Klapeida | Yes | N/A | N/A |
| Norway | Yes, as of 01/03/19 | Yes | Amendments to the Norwegian Regulation of 30 May 2012 No. 488 on environmental safety for ships and mobile offshore |
| Panama | Yes | ||
| Russia - Primorsk, St Petersburg | Yes | ||
| Singapore | Yes, as of 01/01/20 | Yes | No specific provisions are currently available |
| Spain – Algeciras, Cartagena and Huelva; Gibraltar | Yes | ||
| Sweden – Brofjorden, Gavle, Norrkoping, Umea, Sundsvall, Skelleftehamn | Yes | ||
| UAE - Abi Dhabi | No | Yes, unless free of pollutants or into an approved facility | Regulations here |
| UK – Finnart, Hull | Yes | ||
| UAE - Fujairah | Yes, as of 22/01/19 | Yes | Click here |
| US - California | Yes | Yes | Ocean Going Vessel (OGV) Fuel Regulation |
| US - Connecticut | Yes | Yes | VGP 2013 Section 6.5.9 Click here |
| US - Hawaii | No | Yes, but reporting has to be in line with 6.7.1 of the 2013 VGP | VGP 2013 Section 6.7.1 'Blanket Section 401' Water Quality Criteria |
Staff Author
UK P&I
Date18/10/2019
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IMO 2020 – Map on Scrubbers Regulations
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Marpol Annex VI requires ships to reduce SOx emissions either by burning low sulphur fuel or by cleaning the exhaust gas. Exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), also known as “scrubbers”, have been fitted onboard many ships as an acceptable equivalent method of compliance under Marpol Annex VI. Many more ships are intending to have scrubbers fitted.
Please find below information received from UK Club correspondent in Turkey, Vitsan; the circular outlines the recent announcement that wash water discharge of open-loop scrubbers is prohibited in Turkish waters.
As Members may be aware from previous bulletins on the subject, new regulations related to Fuel Oil sulphur content will come into force from 01 Jan 2020. To prepare the maritime industry, various port states have released guidance on how changes will be implemented.
On 6 October 2020, EPA issued a news release (click here) stating that it is proposing standards to reduce the environmental impact of discharges, such as ballast water, that are incidental to the normal operation of commercial vessels.