Malaysia bans wash water discharges
29 November 2019
China, Hong Kong, and Singapore have also instituted such bans
Malaysia is prohibiting wash water discharge from open loop scrubbers in its port waters. Ships are advised to switch to close loop system or burn 0.5% low sulphur fuel oil before entering 12 nautical miles from the country’s land, according to the Marine Department of Malaysia. China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and many other ports and countries have also implemented such bans as the global shipping industry prepares to meet IMO-mandated low sulphur requirements from 1 January 2020 (see chart above). Australia is reviewing the impact of scrubber discharge while South Africa may reconsider the acceptance of open loop scrubbers.