The Marshall Islands Registry on Wednesday (7 October) published an advisory from the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment (NZ MFE) requesting shipowners/operators operating in NZ territorial waters, to avoid discharging scrubber washwater close to shore as a precautionary measure.
The notice advised shipowners/operators to utilise alternate options such as:
At present, EGCS residues generated must be delivered ashore to reception facilities. Coastal States may impose unique requirements for scrubbers, said the NZ MFE.
IMO’s current guidance on washwater discharge criteria, IMO Resolution MEPC.259(68), may be
revised in the future as more data becomes available on the contents of the discharge and its effects, it added.
NZ’s guidance on the use of exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) is available here.
Photo credit: Dan Freeman on Unsplash
Published: 9 October, 2020
Scrubber retrofit returns now less attractive due to tightened cash flow from COVID-19 lock-downs and narrowing bunker fuel spreads, reports Reuters.
Scrubber technology firm explains why 2020 will see a second wave in scrubber orders when shippers seek solutions to the ‘headaches’ of compliant fuel.
Study acknowledges scrubbers are effective at reducing air emissions of SO2, however the contaminants are dumped overboard in the form of washwater.
Total number of scrubber-fitted ships reached 785 units of 6.95 million teu at end June and it since increased to 816 ships and 7.10 Mteu.
The company is also planning to consolidate its marine sales division due to COVID-19 and the narrowing bunker fuel price spread, says its CEO.
Scrubbers need accurate data to ensure they are making an informed decision on the effectiveness and longevity of their equipment, says Chelsea Technologies.
Program introduces periodic assessments, mass flow metering data analysis, and regular training for relevant key personnel to better handle the MFMS to ensure a high level of continuous operational competency.
U.S. Claims Register Summary recorded a total USD 833 million claim from a total 180 creditors against O.W. Bunker USA, according to the creditor list seen by Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
Glencore purchased fuel through Straits Pinnacle which contracted supply from Unicious Energy. Contaminated HSFO was loaded at Khor Fakkan port and shipped to a FSU in Tanjong Pelepas, Malaysia to be further blended.
Individuals were employees of surveying companies engaged by Shell to inspect the volume of oil loaded onto the vessels which Shell supplied oil to; they allegedly accepted bribes totalling at least USD 213,000.
MPA preliminary investigations revealed that the affected marine fuel was supplied by Glencore Singapore Pte Ltd who later sold part of the same cargo to PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
‘MPA had immediately contacted the relevant bunker suppliers to take necessary steps to ensure that the relevant batch of fuel was no longer supplied. Further investigations are currently on-going,’ it informs.
