Denmark to Ban Scrubber Water Discharge for Marine Protection

Denmark has recently introduced a new bill in the Folketing to ban the discharge of scrubber water into its territorial waters. This decision follows a political agreement reached seven months ago and is seen as a step towards implementing a broader ban in the region. Scrubber water is a byproduct created when ships use open scrubbers to clean their exhaust gas of sulfur. The dirty scrubber water is then discharged into the marine environment. The new law, effective July 1, 2025, will prohibit the discharge of environmentally hazardous scrubber water within Danish territorial waters, extending up to 14 nautical miles from the coast.

The Minister of the Environment, Magnus Heunicke, emphasized the harmful impact of scrubber water on marine life and human health. He highlighted the accumulation of heavy metals and tar substances in the marine environment, which eventually make their way into the food chain. The bill aims to reduce discharges of harmful substances by up to 20 percent and sets stricter regulations for ships using closed-loop scrubbers. These vessels will be required to either use low-sulfur fuel or deliver the residual product to designated reception facilities at ports.

Denmark’s decision aligns with similar actions taken by other countries, including Belgium, Norway, and Germany, to restrict scrubber discharge. While the country cannot enforce these rules in international waters, it is working towards a regional ban in the Baltic and North Sea through conventions like HELCOM and OSPAR, under the auspices of the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO). This collective effort aims to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable shipping practices on a global scale.

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