Authorities in Germany have imposed a
record fine to a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker for breaching an open-loop
scrubber ban in the Port of Hamburg.
On November 18, 2019, local water
police conducted a routine check of an unnamed vessel and determined
environmental breaches.
fine of EUR 50,000 (about USD 55,400) by the Department of Environment and
Energy.
vessel was equipped with an open-loop scrubber. Such systems use sea water as
the process fluid and discharge the treated water overboard.
the discharge of wash water from a scrubber into the river Elbe and in the Port
of Hamburg is strictly prohibited.
required to timely switch to low sulphur fuel oil.
dispose of closed-loop wash water and solid scrubber waste for a fee at the
port reception facilities in Hamburg.
already discharged 2,300 tons in the port water at the time of the inspection.
Officer is held responsible for the incident.