Singapore Bans Open-Loop Scrubbing

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said that it is banning the discharge of "wash water" used in ships to scrub engine exhaust, with effect from Jan 1, 2020, said a report in Reuters.

The vessels will have to use compliant fuel once the IMO 2020 sulphur cap comes into force.

The report said that the ban of so-called open-loop scrubbers is part of an effort to prepare one of the world’s busiest ports for International Maritime Organization (IMO) rules that come into force in 2020 and oblige ships to use cleaner fuels.

Andrew Tan, CEO of Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore quoted as saying: "To protect the marine environment and ensure that the port waters are clean, the discharge of wash water from open-loop exhaust gas scrubbers in Singapore port waters will be prohibited,"

Vessels fitted with open-loop scrubbers will be required to use compliant fuels in Singapore port waters. Ships fitted with hybrid scrubbers will be required to switch to the closed-loop mode of operation, he said.

Singapore is the world’s biggest hub for ship refueling, also known as bunkering. MPA said it is working closely with bunker suppliers to ensure an adequate supply of compliant fuel in its port well ahead of the 1 January 2020 deadline.

According to Tan, the MPA will release a larger set of guidance by the second quarter of 2019 that will give a full description of Singapore’s preparations for the IMO 2020 regulations.