Circular 29-2020 – SULPHUR CAP 2020- REGULATION LIMITING OPEN LOOP SCRUBBERS

As informed on a previous circular (21/2020) Argentina is not a party to the Annex IV of MARPOL therefore the “2020 Sulphur cup” did not apply and there was no specific regulation on the use of scrubbers. However, the Coast Guard has enacted Disposition 15/2020 which came into effect on 10th August 2020 and it has forbidden the discharge of the wash water of the Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS or ‘scrubbers’) generated by the open loop systems in all jurisdictional waters, including internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.

The “closed system” scrubbers may continue to be used always provided that its wash water is only discharged at port through authorized companies for its formal disposal. 

Addendum: please note that whilst Argentinean ships are not required to use bunkers in compliance with the “2020 sulphur cap”, the CG has advised that they may levy deficiencies under the Port State Control if any foreign vessel burns non-complying bunkers (when applicable to its flag). 

Download circular 29/2020 HERE

Yours Faithfully,

PANDI LIQUIADORES SRL/BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

Notice: the content of this circular is for information only. Even though it has been issued carefully, and to the best of our knowledge, it has a general purpose and we can accept no liability whatsoever for any particular action taken upon it. © Pandi Liquidadores SRL 2020. All rights reserved.