Clean Shipping Alliance: Wash water discharge is not marine pollution

Apr 15 2021


The Clean Shipping Alliance expressed disappointment in the 6 April announcement from the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization that they will restrict the discharge of wash water in the territorial waters of the country, based on its marine pollution regulation.

“We understand that Article 23 of the Regulation is intended to protect against the disposal of liquid or solid waste from vessels and their cargoes," commented Capt Mike Kaczmarek, Chairman of the Clean Shipping Alliance. "But unlike the clear examples in the regulation, wash water from exhaust gas cleaning systems should not be interpreted as a form of marine pollution. These systems have been in use for decades and there is absolutely no evidence of any negative impact on marine life or sea water quality, neither in open waters nor in port environments."
 
Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) make a positive difference to the ports and ocean environments in which ships operate and will promote global environmental progress – especially the goal of reducing the health impact from airborne sources, which is at the heart of the IMO 2020 regulation.
 
"We realise that the Ministry may have elected to take this step as a precaution, and we have reached out as a partner to work with the Turkish authorities, and to share the available science and data," added Capt Kaczmarek. “But this is an important step, and will impact many ship operations.” 

 



Related News

Nippon Paint Marine’s new FASTAR antifouling earmarked for COSCO Shipping VLCC fleet

(Jan 26 2022)

COSCO Shipping has indicated it will coat its entire fleet of VLCCs with Nippon Paint Marine’s new antifouling system FASTAR® once initial applications have been evaluated.



Saudi shipowners commit 100+ vessels to CSM Saudi Arabia

(Dec 16 2021)

A leading group of progressive Saudi owners and operators have committed over 100 offshore assets to Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM) Saudi Arabia.



Orkim tankers take to the water with Thordon’s COMPAC

(Jul 16 2021)

China’s Fujian Southeast Shipyard has delivered four in a series of five new product tankers ordered by Malaysia’s Orkim Sdn Bhd.



DNV launches new Compliance Planner tool

(Jun 18 2021)

DNV, the world’s leading classification society, has launched Compliance Planner – a new digital tool that enables DNV customers to easily track the requirements and deadlines of legislation for both individual vessels and entire fleets.



What MEPC75 means for tanker operators

(Apr 15 2021)

IMO’s “MEPC75” meeting in November formally agreed requirements on shipping companies to report emissions, requirements to make an assessment scheme, where a rating of ‘C’, if achieved by all ships, will keep the whole industry on a trajectory to mee...



Aug-Sept 2024

Ardmore''s safety initiatives - decarbonisation at Odfjell, Furetank, Klaveness, shore side ballast water treatment