As of 1 January 2019, the use of open-loop scrubber systems are prohibited within China’s Emission Control Areas (ECA) covering inland waters and most of its coastline. Ships fitted with open-loop scrubbers, which discharge wastewater, are now required to burn low-Sulphur fuel while operating in China’s ECAs. This move by China follows Singapore’s earlier decision to also prohibit open-loop scrubbers starting 1 January 2020. Open-loop scrubbers are also banned from use in Belgium, California, Massachusetts and along Germany’s Rhine river.
For more information, please contact Jim Rocco at Jim.Rocco@iadc.org.
