CSA 2020 FEARS OVER EC SCRUBBER PROPOSAL

The EC submitted a proposal to the IMO on the 8 February deadline, calls for “evaluation and harmonization” of scrubber discharges across all ports, world-wide. The proposal is intended for consideration by the 74th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 74) which meets in May, in London.

“This proposal is an attempt by the European Commission to push forward restrictions on scrubbers, which are accepted globally by the IMO, EU and others as acceptable means of improving air emissions quality in controlled areas” said CSA 2020 Executive Director Ian Adams.

The submission itself was made to the IMO after a one-day Working Party review. The procedure was completed within two weeks of the EU draft emerging. The CSA 2020 group noted that the scientific basis for the submission was far from conclusive: the preliminary conclusions of an ongoing Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) study cited in the EC’s proposal do not appear to support new restrictions on scrubber wash water.

“CSA 2020 members, who represent over 30 leading commercial and passenger shipping companies have been investing for years to prepare their ships in time to meet emissions abatement targets in accordance with existing IMO and EU rules, which endorse the use of open and closed-loop scrubbers in all waters,” said Adams. “To see the Commission take this step within months of the entry-into-force of the Global ECA is beyond disappointing.”