The Clean Shipping Alliance 2020 has come out fighting in response to European pressure on the IMO to review its stance on scrubbers.
Earlier this month the European Commission called for urgent action from the IMO on the exhaust gas cleaning equipment, which sparked a fresh round of uncertainty in the shipping industry.
Today the CSA hit back, expressing strong concern about the EC’s proposal, which it feared could be rushed through.
Scrubber restrictions
Ian Adams, executive director of the association, said: “This proposal is an attempt by the European Commission to push forward restrictions on scrubbers, which are accepted globally by the IMO, EU [European Union] and others as acceptable means of improving air emissions quality in controlled areas.
“Within two weeks of a draft surfacing, the Commission had taken the proposal to a one-day Working Party review and then submitted it to IMO.
“Clearly this was planned to avoid the open discussion and deliberation that a proposal with such far-reaching impact requires.
“In the absence of credible evidence to justify such a major departure from the existing rules, the proposal is instead based mostly on speculation.”
The EC's call has caused ripples among shipowners, who have formed two distinct camps in a fierce debate about the merits of scrubbers.
The interjection continued a shift in the discussion from the potential economic merits of the equipment, to more probing questions about the possible impact on the marine environment.
Fuelling concerns
Adams' broadside continued, accusing the EC of needlessly creating baseless concerns at a time the new rules had created very real issues for shipping.
“I am sure Brussels is very aware that existing scientific data shows significant air emissions improvement from scrubbers, with no likely impact on the ocean environment, but it appears the submission to IMO was prepared with speed rather than accuracy,” he added.
Industry veteran Adams was hired by the CSA last month. Its members include John Fredriksen's Frontline and Golden Ocean, Idan Ofer's Eastern Pacific Shipping and Navig8.
The list also features Carnival and Safe Bulkers, Cargill and Trafigura Torm, Hunter Group, Okeanis Eco Tankers and DHT Holdings.
