Environmental and Legal Impacts of the Use of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS)

Background

• Drewry was appointed to create an action plan for evaluating the environmental and legal impacts of using EGCS.

Client Objectives

• An introduction to the regulations and legislation related to SOx emissions.

• A technical description of the various EGCS systems in addition to compliance procedures for discharge water monitoring systems and use of advanced technologies. 
  

• A review of legal frameworks and policies related to EGCS, including international conventions, regulations and EU directives, that are important to mitigate the concerns of marine ecosystem depletion.

• A review of the potential impacts of EGCS on the marine by analysing various case studies and spatial distribution of EGCS effluents.
  

• A review of the best practices, such as the EU Green Deal, Nature Restoration Law and Natura 2000, followed in other regions.
  

• The analysis of stricter proposals of some States (such as Sweden) and Commissions (such as OSPAR) for banning EGCS.

Drewry conducted the primary survey related to regional policies for EGCS and their port reception facilities for accepting EGCS washwater residue. Stakeholder feedback was important to ascertain the roadmap for the client on potential actions. 

Results, conclusions and recommendations

Drewry created a roadmap and action plan to address the challenges of environmental and legal impacts on the use of EGCS. The study covered the following areas:

• Introduction to regulations and legislation related to SOx emission

  • MARPOL Regulations of Annex V

  • List of SECA areas
     

• Introduction to different kinds of EGCS

  • Key drivers of EGCS popularity

  • Restrictions on EGCS washwater globally

  • Discharge water monitoring system and various compliance procedures
     

• Review of legal frameworks and policies related to EGCS

  • Overview of the impact of IMO standards and guidelines on EGCS (UNCLOS, BBNJ Agreement and MARPOL Convention)

  • MEPC circulars, EU directives and existing policies.
     

• Potential environmental impacts of EGCS on the marine environment and best practices in other regions.