CSA 2020: Malaysia’s Scrubber Ban Will Affect 200 Shipping Companies

Malaysia’s decision to prohibit the use of open-loop exhaust gas cleaning systems in its coastal waters will affect a great number of shipping companies intending to install scrubbers, members of the Clean Shipping Alliance 2020 said in reaction to the country’s decision.

The Malaysia Shipping Notice (MSN 07/2019), published on November 12, states that ships calling to Malaysian ports are advised to change over to compliant fuel oil or change over to closed-loop/hybrid systems before entering Malaysian waters and ports.

“The decision will impact not only our member shipping companies, but over 200 other international shipping companies that have announced their intent to install scrubbers as an accepted means of compliance under MARPOL Annex VI,” Capt. Mike Kaczmarek, CSA 2020 Chairman, said.

“We will of course comply with these national rules, however, we do not understand the reasoning or timing, with the global sulphur cap deadline just weeks away and with the IMO already embarked on a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impact of exhaust gas cleaning systems in ports.”

“There are multiple credible studies just released during the last year that confirm the quality of washwater from exhaust gas cleaning systems, and clearly demonstrate that they have negligible environmental impact on the ocean or port environments,” Ian Adams, Executive Director, CSA 2020, added.

Malaysia is not the only country to ban open-loop scrubbers as China and Singapore have also applied similar measures. Japan, on the other hand, came out against any washwater discharge bans earlier this year.