Since 1 January 2025, the use of open-loop scrubbers has been restricted for seagoing vessels in the Amsterdam port. This is to contribute to cleaner water. Open-loop scrubbers cause contaminated wash water to enter the water.
A scrubber is a system in the funnel of ships that “washes” exhaust gases to ensure that less sulphur is emitted into the air. After washing the exhaust gases, contaminated wash water remains. Scrubbers come in different versions: closed-loop and open-loop.
With closed-loop, the waste is collected in a waste tank. In open-loop, the contaminated wash water is discharged directly into the water. This contributes to water pollution and causes water and soil contamination. It also causes ships to continue using heavy fuel oil.
Also read: Scrubbers major cause of pollution in ports
Switching to cleaner fuel
To combat water and soil pollution in the Amsterdam port, there will be a restriction on the use of open-loop scrubbers from 1 January 2025. The ban applies to berths. That is where the discharge of wash water is most locally concentrated. Seagoing vessels must switch to closed-loop in the case of a hybrid scrubber system, or switch to another cleaner fuel that meets sulphur environmental standards, for example marine gas oil.
In 2023, about 100 seagoing vessels with an open-loop scrubber called at the port of Amsterdam. Besides Amsterdam, the ban already applies in the ports of Antwerp and Hamburg, and French and some Scandinavian ports.
Milembe Mateyo, Harbour Master at Port of Amsterdam: ‘With this decision, we are combating water pollution. It is another step closer to a cleaner port and to making shipping more sustainable faster.’
Also read: CE Delft: Scrubbers have a lower climate impact than low-sulphur fuels
