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.
Concerns that washwater discharged from open loop scrubbers may have harmful effects on local waters has however led to many ports introducing regulations either to ban ships fitted with open-loop scrubbers, or to impose additional requirements relating to the discharge of washwater from such systems. To assist operators avoid issues with local regulations, the Exhaust Gas Cleaning System Association (EGCSA), launched a free to access Global Marine SOx Emissions Regulation map on their website, www.egcsa.com. This map, which has been recently updated, provides links (please click on the markers and the ECA boundary lines) to verified information on local regulations.
If Members are aware of information of a port/ area bringing in a regulation affecting the use of EGCS, and such information is missing from this map, please forward the information with relevant contact details to info@egcsa.com. EGCSA will then make enquiries with the port/area, and if the information can be substantiated, the same will be added to the map. We hope Members will find this map a useful resource. If Members require information relating to a specific port and the information cannot be found on this map, please approach your usual contact at the Club who will be pleased to assist you.
The UK Club would like to thank EGCSA for allowing us to share a link to map above on our website.
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.
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.
The Club’s correspondents, Hyopsung Surveyors & Adjusters Corporation, provides an update on recent designations of ECAs and low speed areas at five major ports in South Korea.
