The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) recently listed all the countries that restrict the use of open loop scrubbers in their ports.

For the records, Saudi Arabia became the latest region to prohibit the discharge of wash-water coming from open-loop scrubbers.

Restrictions or bans on using open loop scrubbers have been reported in certain ports or territorial waters, including:

• China (territorial waters)
• Singapore (within port limits)
• Malaysia (territorial waters)
• Pakistan (within port limits)
• UAE (Fujairah and Abu Dhabi port limits)
• Bahrain (within port limits)
• Egypt (Suez Canal)
• Gibraltar (local waters)
• Spain (port of Algeciras)
• Portugal (port waters)
• France (certain ports)
• Belgium (ports and inland waters)
• Ireland (port waters in Cork, Dublin and Waterford)
• Scotland (ports on the Forth and Tay)
• Norway (heritage fjords)
• Sweden (port of Brofjorden)
• Germany (seaports adjacent to inland waterways and inland waterways)
• Lithuania (port waters)
• Bermuda (territorial waters)
• Panama (the Panama Canal)
• the USA (Connecticut port waters and Californian waters)

Following the situation, vessels operating an open-loop scrubber will have to switch to compliant fuels when entering the above-mentioned areas.

To remind, the use of open or closed loop scrubbers, is allowed under IMO Marpol Annex VI regulation on the prevention of pollution from vessels, if the ships wish to continue burning high sulphur fuel oil.