Impact of Ship Scrubbers on Marine Pollution and Ecosystems

Scrubbers, commonly used on ships to remove pollutants from exhaust, may seem like a positive solution for reducing air pollution. However, these Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) transfer large amounts of toxic pollution from the air into the oceans. The shipping industry has turned to scrubber technology to comply with sulfur limits, but this has resulted in unacceptable levels of pollution being released into marine environments.

Scientific evidence shows that scrubber effluent negatively impacts marine organisms throughout the food chain, including endangered species like Southern Resident killer whales. The use of scrubbers has increased globally, especially in regions like Southeast Alaska where sulfur content limits have been enforced. Cruise ships, in particular, are major contributors to scrubber pollution, discharging millions of gallons of toxic waste into the oceans daily.

The widespread use of “open loop” scrubbers releases acidic water containing harmful substances like PAHs, heavy metals, and nitrates into marine ecosystems. As a result, many countries and regions have taken action to regulate or ban scrubber discharges to protect their waters. The solution lies in using cleaner fuels instead of relying on scrubber technology, but government intervention is necessary to ensure the health of our oceans. Organizations like Pacific Environment and Alaska Community Action on Toxics are hosting webinars to raise awareness about the environmental impacts of scrubbers and advocate for cleaner practices in the shipping industry.

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