News / Scrubber debate heats up as EC calls on IMO to restrict their use

The pro-scrubber Clean Shipping Alliance 2020 has strongly criticised the EC for urging the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to restrict the use of open-loop exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) in ports around the world.

But vessels fitted with scrubbers are in high demand and at least a third of newbuild vessels will have them, enabling the ships to continue to consume cheaper, higher-sulphur fuel.

Under its 0.5% sulphur cap on fuel used by ships from 1 January 2020, the IMO currently approves ...