The PPR 6 sub-committee meeting endorsed the use of EGCS as an approved option for complying with the 2020 0.5% global sulphur target. This was a development that was welcomed by the Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems Association (EGCSA).
The sub-committee concluded in this in spite of concerns from the EU, which were based on a German report alleging a transfer of pollution from air to sea.
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In the meantime, Japan also believes that the use of HFO in combination with a scrubber is a better choice than burning low sulphur fuels. It explained that scrubbers can remove airborne particulates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and limit sulphur emissions.
In the same wavelength, the Clean Shipping Alliance 2020 presented a detailed study of the composition and quality of exhaust gas cleaning system (scrubber) washwater. The Carnival-led study, which lasted three years, showed that the EGCS results compared favourably with international standards. Namely, the studied wash-water parameter concentrations were below the emission limits for land-based industrial point source waste water standards.
Providing his comment on the PPR 6 decision, Donald Gregory, director of the Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems Association, said that those who choose scrubbers, invest in compliance. He also added that scrubbers should not be undermined by claims that they are dirty or harmful.
The Danish Maritime Authority has also welcomed the discussion in the PPR 6. The new measures have now been forwarded to the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee for completion in May this year.
The measures that will be finalized in 2019 include guidelines for sampling of fuel oil on board ships and guidelines for consistent implementation including the use of so-called Fuel Oil Non-Availability Reports from ships.
