Scrubbers banned in Atlantic ports

The decision marks the first regional regulation on exhaust gas cleaning systems (commonly known as scrubbers) and aims to curb marine pollution caused by these devices.

Open-loop scrubbers, which flush sulphur and other pollutants from ship exhausts using seawater, discharge waste containing toxic substances such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons directly into the ocean.

Under the new OSPAR decision, this will be prohibited in internal waters and ports by 2027. More concentrated waste from closed-loop scrubbers will face a ban by January 2029.

READ MORE: The Clean Shipping Alliance answers The Motorship’s questions on the effects of a ban on open loop scrubbers

Environmental group Seas At Risk welcomed the move. “This is a landmark moment for marine protection,” said Sian Prior, shipping director at Seas At Risk.

“Toxic waste water from scrubbers has no place in the ocean. This ban will boost marine life and support coastal communities that depend on healthy seas.”

However, campaigners noted that while many OSPAR states pushed for a full ban within 12 nautical miles of coastlines, the agreement stops short of this. Instead, a recommendation was issued, with a review planned ahead of the next ministerial meeting in 2027.

Maarten Verdaasdonk of the North Sea Foundation commented, “Turning air pollution into ocean pollution is not an acceptable trade-off. Extending this ban to territorial waters is essential for real impact.”