A NEW report co-sponsored by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has found that discharges from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) have a minimal environmental impact on water and sediment quality.
The study, conducted by CE Delft, analysed the long-term impact of washwater discharges from EGCS, referred to as scrubbers, on port water and sediment, with data gathered from close to 300 EGCS samples finding the discharges were within the range of new European environmental standards coming into force from 2021.
“EGCS systems are designed to effectively remove 98% of sulphur and well over 50% of particulate matter,” said CLIA’s SVP of Maritime Policy Brian Salerno.
“These studies are important validators for the industry that these systems, whether operated in open or closed-loop modes, are safe for the environment, in compliance with the new restrictions set forth in IMO 2020 and in keeping with the industry’s commitment to responsible tourism practices,” he added.
The latest report follows two previous studies assessing the impact of scrubbers on the marine environment, including a two-year report compiled by DNV GL which concluded that washwater samples from 53 cruise ships equipped with EGCS were below the limits set by major international water quality standards.
Another study authored by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism determined the impact of scrubbers on water quality and marine life to be “negligible”.
Access the full CE Delft report by CLICKING HERE.
