The North P&I Club on Tuesday (13 October) published an update on the stands taken by international ports on the use of scrubbers and the allowance of EGCS discharge. Based on the earlier published chart, the following are countries that have been added to the list:
Exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) – more commonly referred to as scrubbers – are an accepted equivalent measure in complying with the IMO 2020 global sulphur cap. The use of scrubbers has split the shipping industry. Ports around the world are looking at the impact of scrubber use in their waters.
A number of ports and regions have already stated that they will not allow the discharge of washwater from scrubbers.
This information is to the best of our knowledge and is for guidance only. For up to date and definitive information, contact the local authorities or agents.
| Country | Port | Open Loop ECGS Allowed? | Comments |
| New Zealand | Yes | Yes- but discouraged | Maritime NZ issue ‘Guidance on the use of exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) for ports, regional authorities and ships’.
The guidance is non-statutory, but MNZ encourages the industry to implement the following measures until work currently underway in respect to the use of scrubbers has been completed. They request that all ships carrying scrubbers and operating in New Zealand’s territorial waters engage with the relevant port and regional authorities, and as a precautionary measure that where possible they avoid discharging scrubber effluent close to shore by utilising alternate options such as:
https://www.mfe.govt.nz/marine/guidance-use-of-exhaust-gas-cleaning-systems-scrubbers
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| Norway | The World Heritage Fjords sea areas of Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord | Restricted | The World Heritage Fjords sea areas of Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord restrict the use of open loop scrubbers, but not closed loop. Section 14b of the relevant Norwegian Maritime Authority’s regulation can be accessed at the link here.
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A full copy of the list continuing the 31 ports’ stance on scrubbers can be accessed here.
Related: North P&I Club: No Scrubs: More ports declare ban on EGCS discharges *Update*
Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 14 October, 2020
2020 year-to-date average spot market earnings for a scrubber-fitted capesize have exceeded non-scrubber fitted ones by 27%), said Chief Shipping Analyst.
Despite IMO’s scrubber discharge guidelines, studies show scrubber washwater and pollutants damage ecosystems and harm wildlife, states ICCT report.
Attached table outlines North’s updated insight on the stands taken by ports that have or will prohibit the use of scrubbers, or have placed conditions on their use.
Total capacity of the scrubber-fitted fleet now equals 7.52 Mteu - just shy of 30% of the total container fleet, up from 25% at the start of the year.
Company spokesman for Torm notes of ‘minor delay’; while scrubber installations of DHT Holdings and Swedish Stena Bulk have been respectively postponed.
DNV GL speaks with Fabian Kock, head of Environmental Certification at DNV GL on study conducted of owners’ experiences with installing and running scrubbers.
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.
