HAMBURG LEVIES RECORD FINE: Tanker discharged in the Port and River Elbe Open-Loop Scrubber washwater
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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.
As a result, the ship has received a fine of 50.000 EUR by the Department of Environment and Energy.
As reported, inspectors found that the vessel was equipped with an open-loop scrubber. Such systems use sea water as the process fluid and discharge the treated water overboard.
Under the relevant CDNI convention, the discharge of wash water from a scrubber into the river Elbe and in the Port of Hamburg is strictly prohibited.
Ships equipped with open-loop scrubbers are required to timely switch to low sulphur fuel oil. It is only possible to dispose of closed-loop wash water and solid scrubber waste for a fee at the port reception facilities in Hamburg.
Despite this prohibition, the ship already discharged 2,300 tons in the port water at the time of the inspection.
A 43-year-old Philippine Chief Officer is held responsible for the incident.
SOURCE: World Maritme News
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