Marine Advisory: 06/2025 - Restrictions on the discharge of open loop scrubbers by ships visiting certain ports and sea areas

21 February 2025

Marine Advisory: 06/2025

SUBJECT: Restrictions on the discharge of open loop scrubbers by ships visiting certain ports and sea areas

REF: (a) MARPOL Annex VI Reg.4 – Equivalences

(b) Marine Advisory 13/2023 - Guidance on implementation of MARPOL Annex VI 2020 Global Sulphur Limit

Purpose

The purpose of this Advisory is to alert all Shipowners, Operators, Masters and Recognized Organizations that in certain ports and sea areas around the world there are restrictions on the discharge of open-loop scrubbers by ships.

Background

In addition to using compliant fuel to meet the 0.50% sulphur requirement that entered into force on 1 January 2020, there is the option to use “equivalent” compliance mechanisms in accordance with Regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI, one of which is the use of an Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS), commonly known as Scrubbers.

Restrictions against open loop scrubbers

Many ports and sea areas around the world restrict the use of scrubbers and related wash water discharge, from allowing their use and discharge as long as certain criteria are met, to a total ban on any wash water discharges or bleed-off water from scrubbers.

A not all inclusive list(s) of the above-mentioned areas and relevant restrictions have been provided under https://futurefuels.imo.org/home/training-and-cooperation/useful-tools/

To avoid fines being imposed on ships that do not follow individual port or sea area restrictions, this Administration recommends Shipowners, Operators and Masters to also check for any such restrictions from relevant local authorities before their ships visit a specific port or sea area.

For more information, please contact the Regulations and Standards Department at RegsandStandards@liscr.com or telephone +1 703 790 3434.

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