EGCS SYTEMS

Position
26 September 2024
#Sustainability

Implement a global standard for wash water discharges from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS).

Why is this important?

Since January 1, 2015, special sulfur emission control areas (SECAs) have been established in heavily trafficked maritime routes such as the North Sea. These regulations limit ocean-going vessels to a maximum sulfur oxide emission of 0.10%. Additionally, a global sulfur standard Sulfur standards are legal regulations that limit the maximum amount of sulfur in fuels for ships and other vehicles. of 0.50% has been in effect since January 1, 2020. To comply with these standards, shipowners have two main options: they can switch to low-sulfur fuels or utilize Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS). These systems effectively wash sulfur and particulate matter from exhaust gases, reducing sulfur oxides and minimizing particulate emissions into the atmosphere.

For many shipowners, investing in EGCS was the most practical solution to meet the sulfur standards. Governments encouraged this choice through subsidies, as there was limited knowledge about low-sulfur fuels, particularly regarding their impact on ship engines and their availability.

The use of EGCS generates wash water, and its management varies depending on the type of system used. There are three types of EGCS: open, closed, and hybrid systems. In an open system, the treated wash water is discharged back into the sea after being processed onboard. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) The IMO (International Maritime Organization) is a UN agency established in 1948, responsible for promoting maritime safety, security, and environmental protection by setting global standards for shipping practices and regulations. has established requirements for various parameters of the wash water. The current onboard treatments of the water ensure that it no longer poses a significant risk to the marine environment.

In a closed system, contaminants from the wash water are collected onboard and then disposed of at suitable facilities in port. Hybrid systems can function in either closed or open mode, providing flexibility for ship operators.

How should we solve it?

Now, nearly ten years after the introduction of sulfur emission control areas, political discussions are emerging regarding a potential ban on the operation of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems. According to NGOs and some governments, discharging EGCS washwater could pose a risk to the marine environment, although there is still no global consensus on this issue. KVNR acknowledges the need to improve surface water quality and recognizes that EGCS washwater discharges could potentially harm vulnerable marine areas. As a result, Dutch shipowners are advocating for a global standard that the washwater must meet before it is released back into the sea.

Implementing a discharge standard for EGCS washwater is a more effective approach to preventing unwanted substances from entering the marine environment than an outright ban. While a total ban would transfer the problem from water to air, some airborne pollutants would eventually settle back into the water, still affecting the marine ecosystem. Moreover, seagoing vessels without EGCS emit higher levels of sulfur oxides and particulate matter, which negatively impact the health of people in coastal states.

Banning the discharge of EGCS washwater would render most EGCS ineffective, forcing shipowners to switch to low-sulfur fuels for their vessels.

The KVNR supports a global discharge standard for EGCS washwater and opposes an outright ban, as not all EGCS are the same and many systems provide additional filtration for the washwater. Furthermore, some EGCS offer opportunities for significant innovations in the sustainability of shipping. For example, certain EGCS can capture up to 30% of CO2 when combined with CO2 capture technology, and this percentage is expected to rise to around 80% in the very near future.

This presents a crucial opportunity for existing ships to significantly reduce their emissions. However, effective CO2 capture requires the treatment of exhaust gases through EGCS, as the exhaust must be clean for the capture process to work effectively.

State of affairs - 1 November 2024

Active discussions are currently taking place at various political levels regarding potential bans on the discharge of wash water from Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS). Proposals for such bans have repeatedly failed to gain approval, primarily due to the existence of numerous studies with conflicting conclusions. Member states recognize that the negative consequences of a ban could potentially outweigh its benefits.

During the 81st meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) The MEPC (Marine Environment Protection Committee) is a committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) focused on protecting the marine environment. It discusses and develops guidelines and regulations to reduce pollution from shipping activities. , it was noted that EGCS may continue to be used to comply with sulfur standards. The committee also concluded that individual member states have the right to act unilaterally against the use of EGCS in their own territorial waters. However, they cannot impose stricter requirements in their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a sea area extending up to 200 nautical miles from a country's coast, where the nation has special rights over natural resources, like fishing and oil. Other countries are allowed passage and overflight, but resource exploitation is reserved for the coastal state. than those established by international rules and standards without coordinating such actions within the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Since that meeting, discussions have continued, particularly among some European coastal states. Within the OSPAR OSPAR is an agreement between fifteen countries and the European Union to protect the marine environment of the Northeast Atlantic, including the North Sea. Signatories collaborate to reduce pollution, conserve biodiversity, and promote sustainable management. Member countries include the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Norway. framework, a proposal has been made to limit EGCS washwater discharges. In spring 2024, Denmark adopted a ban on washwater discharges, which will take effect in its territorial waters on July 1, 2025, for open-loop systems and on July 1, 2029, for closed-loop systems. Sweden followed suit shortly thereafter with a similar measure in the summer of 2024.

Expert and press contact

Author

Anouk Henkelman

Climate and Environment
Press contact

Nathan Habers

Head of Communications & Public Affairs