China hints at tighter restriction on open-loop scrubbers

China has hinted at a tighter restriction on the use of open-loop scrubbers within the country’s emission control areas (ECAs) from January.

The Chinese transport ministry’s maritime safety administration has issued a statement calling for industry feedbacks by 22 August on a draft regulation on how to enforce the IMO 2020 rules.

Based on the proposal, the discharge of wash water from open-loop scrubbers will not be allowed for vessels engaged in international shipping within China’s ECAs from 2020.