The IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 74) to consider EU proposal to discuss discharges from open loop scrubber
“Water quality is a great priority for European ports being continuously in the annual Top 10 of European ports’ environmental priorities,” said ESPO’s secretary general, Isabelle Ryckbost. “The scrubber discharges into the water is currently triggering different approaches and measures in the EU Member States.”
“More coordinated” approach
“It is important to start the discussion at international level on the possible impact of these discharges as soon as possible in an open and transparent way, using the evidence available,” said Ms Ryckbost. “This must lead to a more coordinated global approach to the issue, if possible. With the upcoming IMO 2020 sulphur cap, the issue is becoming a priority.”
To protect the water quality and to respect the EU standards imposed by the Water Framework Directive, some EU Member States have taken initiatives to limit liquid discharges from scrubbers in port areas.
The Clean Shipping Alliance 2020 (CSA 2020) recently said it has received no-objection letters from more than 20 port authorities.
European ports back call for harmonised action on scrubber discharges
Source: “Splash”, MAY 10TH, 2019
The European Sea Ports Organisation (EPSO) has called for urgent scientific research into the impact of liquid discharges from scrubbers.
The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), which is commencing next week in London, will discuss an EU proposal on exhaust gas cleaning systems. The proposal, which has been submitted by the EU 28 member states and the European Commission, aims to start the discussion at an international level on the discharges from scrubbers into the water, especially in sensitive areas such as ports.
To protect the water quality and to respect the EU standards imposed by the Water Framework Directive, some EU member states have taken initiatives to limit liquid discharges from scrubbers in port areas.
EPSO stated in a release yesterday it supports the European plea for “prompt and harmonized action on the basis of scientific evidence” available with regard to the impact of liquid discharges from scrubbers on water quality.
“Water quality is a great priority for European ports being continuously in the annual top 10 of European ports’ environmental priorities. The scrubber discharges into the water is currently triggering different approaches and measures in the EU member states. It is important to start the discussion at international level on the possible impact of these discharges as soon as possible in an open and transparent way, using the evidence available. This must lead to a more coordinated global approach to the issue, if possible. With the upcoming IMO 2020 sulphur cap, the issue is becoming a priority,” said ESPO’s secretary general, Isabelle Ryckbost.
Singapore authorities advise on scrubber waste reception facilities
Source: Seatrade Maritime News, 17 May 2019
The Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has issued advice on reception facilities from waste from closed-loop scrubbers, which is classified as toxic.
When Singapore announced last November that it would be banning the use of open-loop scrubbers from its port waters from 2020 the MPA assured that as a party to MARPOL Annex VI that it would be providing reception facilities for residues generated from scrubbers.
In a circular to the shipping community the MPA said that residues generated from scrubbers would be classified as Toxic Industrial Waste (TIW) under Singapore regulations. As such ships that wanted to dispose of scrubber waste in Singapore would be required to engage a licensed Toxic Industrial Waste Collector (TWIC).
“TIWCs can arrange for the residues to be offloaded in packaged form or in intermediate bulk container tanks directly to trucks and MPA licensed harbour craft for ships at berth and at anchorages, respectively,” MPA said.
From 1 January 2020 ships operating in Singapore port waters will be required to either burn compliant low sulphur fuel or use closed-loop scrubbers to comply with the IMO 2020 sulphur cap.
WHAT THE EXPERTS FROM EUROSHORE SAY:
As you can read open loop scrubbers has its believers and non-believers. We appreciate that MEPC 74 has decided that further scientific studies are needed to evaluate if the effluent of open loop scrubbers is harmful to the marine environment. Several studies have warned for potential problems of acidification of coastal and port waters, ending up in less biodiversity. The presence of heavy metals and other pollutants in the effluent will contaminate sediments in the port and the fairway and are in principle an infringement on the Water Framework Directive. In any case, the treatment cost for these sediments will raise and put a financial burden to ports. Since the effluent of exhaust gas cleaning systems can be well handled by the port reception facilities, Euroshore plaids for the precautionary principle. Use hybrid systems in shallow and port waters and deliver the waste waters to the PRF’s. They can handle and neutralise these waste waters.
Ecospeed wins Arctic Innovation Award 2019
Source: Oceanhub: 9 May 2019 9:00 (GMT+1)
On April 2, Subsea Industries won the Arctic Innovation Award 2019 for its Ecospeed non-toxic hull coating. The winner of the award was announced at the Arctic Shipping Forum held at the Paasitorni Congress Centre in Helsinki, Finland.
According to the organizers the panel of independent judges, consisting of leading Arctic specialists, gave the award to “the company or individual that has developed the most innovative new technology, environmental practice or service to benefit the Arctic region.”
About the award Subsea Industries CEO Boud Van Rompay said: “We are very proud to have been given this award by important members of the Arctic shipping community. This recognition strengthens us to keep pursuing our goal of clean rivers, seas and oceans.”
If you would like to learn more about Ecospeed contact one of our offices. You can also find further information and many other case studies on our website. Click on the button below for more information on the benefits Ecospeed offers to ice-going vessels.
WHAT THE EXPERTS OF EUROSHORE SAY:
The AFS (Antifouling systems) Convention is already several years in force. The main result of this convention was the ban of TBT-paints. But paints used on ship hulls sometimes still contain heavy metals (cupper or zinc) and less toxic biocides. Ecospeed on the other hand, is a non-toxic paint that makes use of glass flakes. The paint doesn’t contain heavy metals. The paint brings a layer of glass on the hull which is easy to clean with proper material. (see the article upstairs where cleaning devices are used to clean hulls from antifouling). Euroshore all innovations that will contribute to a better environment.