Although scrubbers are a contentious topic in the maritime business, those who have invested in them have unquestionably reaped significant financial benefits. Scrubbers have saved $12 billion in the container industry alone, according to Danish liner consultancy Sea-Intelligence. This computation was predicated on the idea that a specific proportion of vessels equipped with scrubbers would use less expensive IFO380 fuel rather than VLSFO.
The research analyzed the daily global fuel consumption across the entire container sector and assumed that a certain percentage of vessels fitted with scrubbers would consume cheaper IFO380 fuel instead of VLSFO. Sea-Intelligence’s analysis, beginning from January 1, 2020, has noted an increase in the installation of scrubbers on vessels by 2023.
However, the discharge of scrubber contaminants into the ocean has sparked considerable debate. A study by Chalmers University of Technology highlighted that scrubber discharges accounted for over 90% of contaminants found in water samples at certain ports. Anna Lunde Hermansson, a doctoral student at the Chalmers University says “Stricter regulation of discharge water from scrubbers is crucial to reduce the deterioration of the marine environment”.
Researchers noted that besides sulfur, scrubber water contains heavy metals and toxic organic compounds, contributing to the acidification of seawater as open-loop scrubbers discharge the water directly into the sea. Given the hazardous nature of this discharge, proposals to restrict the pumping of scrubber water into internal waters have been put forth by various authorities globally, including in Sweden and the European Union.
Recent data indicates that over 5,400 ships, approximately 5% of the global merchant fleet, are now equipped with scrubbers. Despite concerns about their environmental impact, the 2020 global sulfur cap has noticeably improved atmospheric conditions, with significant reductions in ship track clouds observed. The environmental impact has been brought about due to vessels complying with the new regulations by using low-sulfur fuels or scrubbers.
