LIST OF LOCAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE DISCHARGE OF SCRUBBER WASH WATER

Overview

BIMCO has issued an updated list of local restrictions on the discharge of the wash water from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS), also known as scrubbers.

Below, BIMCO has gathered information on countries and individual ports that  have restricted or banned discharge of wash water from exhaust gas cleaning systems within their jurisdiction.

Globally, IMO’s 2021 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (MEPC.340(77)) [see footnote] apply. Section 10 of the guidelines stipulates the wash water discharge criteria and limits, including that wash water levels should be continuously monitored and recorded when operated while the ship is in ports, harbours or estuaries.

Listed are those who have implemented regulations that differ from the IMO MEPC.340(77).

Where discharge of wash water is allowed ‘partially’ it means discharge is allowed except for some specific ports, or only in certain parts of the territorial waters.

Where discharge of wash water is allowed ‘conditioned’ it means discharge is only allowed based on pre-approval by the relevant authority.

Please be aware that local restrictions or bans may be in force without BIMCO having received the information. The list is therefore only based on the latest information received by BIMCO.

Should you be aware of any development or information which is not included in the list, please do not hesitate to contact us (hsse@bimco.org), so we can share this information with all our members as the discussion is ongoing among many regulatory bodies and changes might occur on a regular basis.

*Existing scrubbers are certified in accordance with the guidelines in place at the point of installation. IMO’s 2021 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (MEPC.340(77)) apply to scrubbers installed or delivered after 1 June 2022, prior to this date IMO’s 2015 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (MEPC.259(68)) and its corrigendum (MEPC 68/21/Add.1/Corr.2), or the 2009 Guidelines (MEPC.184(59)), apply.

albania

No information defined


algeria

No information defined


angola

No information defined


antigua and barbuda

No information defined


argentina

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 10-03-2021

Argentina has previously banned discharge of scrubber wash water in territorial waters. Furthermore, according to local sources the ban may have been extended to all jurisdictional waters, ie, from the territorial water to the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). According to local sources, since COVID-19 has made it difficult to enforce the ban on discharge of scrubber wash water, the ban may have been temporarily suspended. Please see the PDFs.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 10-03-2021

Argentina has previously banned discharge of scrubber wash water in all ports. According to local sources, since COVID-19 has made it difficult to enforce the ban on discharge of scrubber wash water, the ban may have been temporarily suspended. Please see the PDFs.

Wash water regulation: PDF


aruba

No information defined


australia

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 24-10-2022

Ships using a scrubber will have to notify the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) prior to arrival at an Australian port. Ships may be directed not to discharge wash water from an EGCS in Australian waters if the requested information is not provided (please refer to the 2021 PDF below).

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 24-10-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water while at berth in Glebe Island and White Bay (Sydney Harbour). Moreover, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) encourages ships to avoid discharging wash water within Australian port limits. Ships using a scrubber will have to notify AMSA prior to arrival at an Australian port. Vessels may be directed not to discharge wash water from an EGCS in Australian waters if the requested information is not provided (please refer to the 2021 PDF below).

Wash water regulation: PDF


azerbaijan

No information defined


azores

No information defined


bahamas

No information defined


bahrain

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is allowed to discharge wash water in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge wash water in ports including anchorage area(s).

Wash water regulation: PDF


bangladesh

No information defined


barbados

No information defined


belgium

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water inside internal waters. Seaward of the baseline, it is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports.

Wash water regulation: PDF


belize

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 08-07-2024

Discharge of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Wash Water is prohibited in territorial waters and port areas

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 08-07-2024

Discharge of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Wash Water is prohibited in territorial waters and port areas

Wash water regulation: PDF


benin

No information defined


bermuda

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters. Furthermore, ships equipped with closed loop or hybrid scrubbers shall seek prior approval from the Environmental Authority before using the scrubber in Bermuda territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in all ports.

Wash water regulation: PDF


bolivia

No information defined


bonaire

No information defined


brazil

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 02-02-2023

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters, as confirmed by the 11 February 2022 submission to IMO by Brazil stating that there are no restrictions imposed by the Brazilian Maritime Authority on scrubber wash water discharges. Based on local sources the information forwarded to IMO by the Brazilian Government should be prevailing. However, another local source has reported differing information concerning possible fines issued, by other authorities than the Brazilian Maritime Authority, to ships discharging scrubber wash water within the territorial waters. Moreover, Vale S.A. “recommends” not to discharge wash water within 24 nautical miles of the coastline.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 02-02-2023

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in Brazilian ports, except in the following ports: Vale S.A. ports and terminals (Ponta da Madeira, Tubarão & Praia Mole Complex and Ilha Guaiba), Paranaguá, Antonina, Santos and Rio Grande (the last two may not allow the discharge of scrubber wash water according to local sources). See PDFs below for more information on these restrictions in Vale S.A. ports and terminals and in the ports of Paranaguá and Antonina (encompassed under port of Paraná). Local sources have recommended contacting the port or a local agent prior to arrival to confirm the procedures to be followed, as the ports may “not necessarily follow a standard procedure”.

Wash water regulation: PDFs & correspondence with local sources


british virgin islands

No information defined


brunei

No information defined


bulgaria

No information defined


cambodia

No information defined


cameroon

No information defined


canada

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is allowed to discharge wash water in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in all ports, except in the port of Vancouver while the ship is at berth or anchored.

Wash water regulation: PDF


cape verde

No information defined


cayman islands

No information defined


chile

No information defined


china

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge wash water from scrubbers within the national Chinese Emission Control Area.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

Wash water regulation: PDF


colombia

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters (including the Colombian internal waters, territorial sea and contiguous zone).

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports.

Wash water regulation: PDF


comoros union of

No information defined


congo dem rep of

No information defined


congo republic of

No information defined


cook island

No information defined


costa rica

No information defined


croatia

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Wash water regulation: PDF


cuba

No information defined


curacao

No information defined


cyprus

No information defined


denmark

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 08-07-2024

The discharge of EGCS wash water from ships out to 12 nautical miles from the Danish coasts will be prohibited from 1 July 2025. The ban will extend to bleed-off water from closed loop scrubbers on 1 July 2029.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 08-07-2024

The discharge of EGCS wash water from ships out to 12 nautical miles from the Danish coasts will be prohibited from 1 July 2025. The ban will extend to bleed-off water from closed loop scrubbers on 1 July 2029.

Wash water regulation: PDF (in Danish)


djibouti

No information defined


dominica

No information defined


dominican republic

No information defined


ecuador

No information defined


egypt

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in the Suez Canal.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 10-03-2021

Wash water regulation: PDF


el salvador

No information defined


eritrea

No information defined


estonia

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 11-03-2021

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 11-03-2021

Authorization is required if scrubbers are to discharge wash water in port areas.

Wash water regulation: PDF


falkland islands

No information defined


faroe islands

No information defined


fiji

No information defined


finland

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 11-03-2021

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 11-03-2021

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in all ports, except: Neste Porvoo Habour.

Wash water regulation: PDF


france

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters within three nautical miles from the nearest land. Exemptions might be granted on a case by case basis (for more information, please see the complementary port information and the PDF below). Beyond this 3nm limit, it is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports. On a case by case basis, the French administration may grant temporary exemptions to vessels on regular lines already equipped with open loop scrubbers and that cannot conform to this regulation. Shipowners who are interested in obtaining such an exemption should contact the French “Direction des Affaires Maritimes”. Exemptions will not apply when the vessel is at berth. They will be limited to a strict minimum and valid until the 1st January 2026 at the latest.

Wash water regulation: PDF


french guiana

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters within three nautical miles from the nearest land. Please refer to the information for France for more details.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports. Please refer to the information for France for more details.

Wash water regulation: PDF


gabon

No information defined


gambia

No information defined


georgia

No information defined


germany fr of

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 11-03-2021

Maritime waterways (territorial waters): the discharge of scrubber wash water is allowed. Inland waterways: the discharge of scrubber wash water is not allowed. Map of German inland waterways attached as PDF.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 11-03-2021

The discharge of scrubber wash water is not allowed in ports.

Wash water regulation: PDF


ghana

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 18-11-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 18-11-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in all ports.

Wash water regulation: PDF


gibraltar

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

While the government of Gibraltar has not yet arrived at a definitive policy decision, discharge of scrubber wash water is not allowed in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

Scrubber wash water is not allowed in ports.

Wash water regulation: Correspondence with local source.


greece

No information defined


greenland

No information defined


grenada

No information defined


guadeloupe

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters within three nautical miles from the nearest land. Please refer to the information for France for more details.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports. Please refer to the information for France for more details.

Wash water regulation: PDF


guam

No information defined


guatemala

No information defined


guinea rep of

No information defined


guinea bissau

No information defined


guinea equatorial

No information defined


guyana

No information defined


haiti

No information defined


honduras

No information defined


hungary

No information defined


iceland

No information defined


india

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 02-02-2023

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 02-02-2023

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in all ports, except for any ports published on the website of the Indian Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). Restrictions implemented by Indian ports prior to January 2023 on the discharge of scrubber wash water will need the approval of the DGS to be applicable. On 31 January 2023, DGS issued a new circular (DGS Circular No 02 of 2023) stating that: “(i.) Any port or local authority proposing to prohibit IMO (MARPOL) compliant ships (certified for alternate means of compliance to IMO 2020) from entering their port or imposing any additional requirements, including, changeover to low sulphur fuel oil, shall submit their request in this regard to the Director General of Shipping, Govt. of India, along with the risk and impact assessment duly undertaken by the respective authority in accordance with IMO-MEPC.1/Circ. 899. [2022 Guidelines for risk and impact assessment of the discharge water from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems] (ii.) If approved, a list of such ports where entry/berthing of ships with alternate means of compliance to IMO 2020 is prohibited shall be published on DGS web site, under intimation to the IMO and a letter issued to the respective port authority for public display and for duly alerting the ships calling their ports, in advance. (iii.) No port in India shall prohibit or impose additional measures on ships certified for alternate means of compliance to IMO 2020, unless authorized by the competent authority as above.”

Wash water regulation: PDF


indonesia

No information defined


iran

No information defined


iraq

No information defined


ireland

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in all ports, except: Dublin, Waterford and Cork. It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in other ports if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Wash water regulation: PDF


israel

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 08-07-2024

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 08-07-2024

Discharging of wash water from open loop EGCS is prohibited when ship is at anchorage or berthing alongside in any Israeli port

Wash water regulation: PDF


italy

No information defined


ivory coast

No information defined


jamaica

No information defined


japan

No information defined


jordan

No information defined


kazakhstan

No information defined


kenya

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 09-06-2021

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 09-06-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports.

Wash water regulation: PDF


korea dempeopre

No information defined


korea republic of

No information defined


kuwait

No information defined


latvia

No information defined


lebanon

No information defined


liberia

No information defined


libya

No information defined


lithuania

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 11-03-2021

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters, if demonstrated that the discharge of the wash water has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 11-03-2021

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports, if demonstrated that the discharge of the wash water has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Wash water regulation: PDF


madagascar

No information defined


malaysia

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge wash water from scrubbers within the territorial waters of Malaysia. However, there is an exemption for any ship travelling through the straits of Malacca and not calling on any Malaysian ports.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge wash water from scrubbers in ports.

Wash water regulation: PDF


maldives rep of

No information defined


malta

No information defined


marshall islands

No information defined


martinique

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters within three nautical miles from the nearest land. Please refer to the information for France for more details.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports. Please refer to the information for France for more details.

Wash water regulation: PDF


mauritania

No information defined


mauritius

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 09-06-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 09-06-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports.

Wash water regulation:


mexico

No information defined


moldova

No information defined


monaco

No information defined


montenegro

No information defined


montserrat

No information defined


morocco

No information defined


mozambique

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 18-11-2021

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 18-11-2021

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in all ports, except: Nascala port

Wash water regulation: PDF


myanmar republic of the union of

No information defined


namibia

No information defined


nauru

No information defined


netherlands

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Wash water regulation: PDF


new caledonia

No information defined


new zealand

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 18-11-2021

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters. However, it is discouraged as per Maritime NZ (MNZ) issue “Guidance on the Use of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (Scrubbers) for Ports, Regional Authorities and Ships”.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 18-11-2021

MNZ requested that all ships carrying scrubbers and operating in New Zealand’s territorial waters engage with the relevant port and regional authorities, and as a precautionary measure, where possible, they avoid discharging scrubber effluent close to shore by utilising alternate options.

Wash water regulation: PDF


nicaragua

No information defined


nigeria

No information defined


norway

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in the world heritage fjords (the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord areas).

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports while the ship is at berth or anchored.

Wash water regulation: PDF


oman

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 12-02-2021

It is not allowed to discharge wash water from scrubbers in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 12-02-2021

It is not allowed to discharge wash water from scrubbers in all ports.

Wash water regulation: PDF


pakistan

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: yes

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports.

Wash water regulation: PDF


panama

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 11-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in Panama Canal waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 11-03-2021

Wash water regulation: PDF


papua new guinea

No information defined


paraguay

No information defined


peru

No information defined


philippines

No information defined


poland

No information defined


portugal

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in the following ports: Lisbon and Aveiro. It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in other ports if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Wash water regulation: PDF & Correspondence with local source.


puerto rico

No information defined


qatar

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water containing “any chemicals and/or metals.”

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

Wash water regulation: PDF


reunion

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters within three nautical miles from the nearest land. Please refer to the information for France for more details.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports. Please refer to the information for France for more details.

Wash water regulation: PDF


romania

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Wash water regulation: PDF


russia

No information defined


samoa

No information defined


samoa american

No information defined


sao tome

No information defined


saudi arabia

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports.

Wash water regulation: PDF


senegal

No information defined


seychelles

No information defined


sierra leone

No information defined


singapore

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters. This prohibition does not apply to ships transiting the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) without calling into the Port of Singapore.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 22-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports.

Wash water regulation: PDF


slovenia

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 08-07-2024

The discharge of wash water from and use of open-loop EGCS is prohibited in Slovenian waters. (According to information from the Slovenian Maritime Authority dated 23/03/2021 which refers to the Article 66, paragraph 4 of the “Water Act” (Official gaz. no. 67/02), attached below)

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 08-07-2024

The discharge of wash water from and use of open-loop EGCS is prohibited in Slovenian waters. (According to information from the Slovenian Maritime Authority dated 23/03/2021 which refers to the Article 66, paragraph 4 of the “Water Act” (Official gaz. no. 67/02), attached below)

Wash water regulation: PDF (in Slovenian)


solomon islands

No information defined


somalia

No information defined


south africa

No information defined


spain

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in the following ports: Algeciras, Gijón and Cádiz. It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in other ports if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Wash water regulation: Correspondence with local source and PDFs


sri lanka

No information defined


st eustatius

No information defined


st maarten

No information defined


st helena

No information defined


st kitts and nevis

No information defined


st lucia

No information defined


st pierre miquel

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters within three nautical miles from the nearest land. Please refer to the information for France for more details.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports. Please refer to the information for France for more details.

Wash water regulation: PDF


st vincent and the grenadines

No information defined


sudan

No information defined


suriname

No information defined


sweden

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 08-07-2024

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate. According to news releases, the Swedish government plans to start prohibiting discharges from open loop scrubbers beginning July 1, 2025, followed by a ban on discharges from all other scrubbers from January 1, 2029. Such ban will be applicable in Swedish territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in the following ports: Gothenburg, Trelleborg, Stenungsund & PetroPort, Oxelösund, Stockholm and Brofjorden (the information was confirmed by local sources for the last two). It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in other ports if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Wash water regulation: Correspondence with local source and PDFs


syria

No information defined


tahiti

No information defined


tanzania

No information defined


thailand

No information defined


timor leste dem rep of

No information defined


togo

No information defined


tonga

No information defined


trinidad and tobago

No information defined


tunisia

No information defined


turkey

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: no

Updated: 10-03-2021

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports

Wash water regulation: PDF


turkmenistan

No information defined


tuvalu

No information defined


ukraine

No information defined


united arab emirates

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters in Fujairah and Dubai.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in ports in Fujairah and Dubai.

Wash water regulation: PDF


united kingdom

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: conditioned

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in territorial waters if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 27-07-2022

It is not allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in the following ports: Forth Ports and Port of Dundee (these Scottish ports specifically prohibit the discharge of scrubber wash water into the rivers Forth and Tay), Ports of Tilbury (while at berth), Port of Milford Haven, Port of Bristol (in the enclosed environments of Avonmouth and Royal Portbury Docks), Port of Plymouth and Port of Cromarty Firth. It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in other ports if demonstrated that this discharge has no significant adverse effect and does not pose a risk to human health and to the environment. Note: Paragraph 10.1.6.1 of resolution MEPC.340(77) also states that if additives are used, an assessment is conducted by the manufacturer to determine if additional discharge water quality criteria are appropriate.

Wash water regulation: PDFs


uruguay

No information defined


usa

Territorial water

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 11-03-2021

It is only allowed to discharge scrubber wash water in US water and ports, when adhering to the regulations of the 2013 Vessel General Discharge Permit.

Ports

Discharge of wash water allowed: partially

Updated: 11-03-2021

In this document, Hawaii's waters have specific regulations, Connecticut and the port of Seattle completely prohibits scrubber wash water. California does not allow compliance to the 2020 Sulphur cap through the use of scrubbers within 24 nautical miles. So both open and closed loop scrubbers are not allowed in California territorial water and port.

Wash water regulation: PDFs


vanuatu republic of

No information defined


venezuela

No information defined


vietnam

No information defined


virgin islands

No information defined


yemen republic of

No information defined


VPS Bunker Alerts

Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) publish regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples and have kindly permitted BIMCO’s Members to access this information.

The Bunker Alerts are not intended to be an evaluation of overall bunker quality in the port or area concerned, but usually highlight a specific parameter within the fuel which has raised a quality issue.

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