From 1 January 2025, the Port of Amsterdam will ban the use of open scrubbers for ships. These devices discharge polluted wastewater directly into port waters, which contributes to environmental pollution. The new ban is aimed at improving the health of the marine ecosystem.
A scrubber is an exhaust gas cleaning system that reduces sulphur emissions into the atmosphere. However, when open scrubbers are used, polluted water is discharged into the sea, which leads to additional pollution. In contrast, closed scrubbers collect waste in special tanks.
The ban will only apply to ships moored in the port, where the concentration of polluted water is highest. In the case of hybrid scrubber systems, ships will have to switch to a closed loop or use more environmentally friendly fuel that meets sulphur standards, such as marine gas oil.