UN Ocean Conference 2025: The scrubber case – time for glocal solution

Below you can watch a recording of the seminar, read a summary, and view presentations from some of the participants.

Summary

Eva-Lotta Sundblad, Swedish Institute for the Marine Environment, Sweden, acted as a moderator for the meeting.

Kajsa Tönnesson, Head of the Swedish Institute for the Marine Environment, welcomed everyone to the event. Scientific consensus that scrubbers are posing an unacceptable risk for marine ecosystems and calls for regulation to reduce pollution from scrubbers to the ocean. The goal of the event was to share knowledge and perspectives on methods for regulatory approaches.

Helena Dyrssen, State Secretary to the Swedish Minister for Climate and the Environment, highlighted that Sweden’s new marine protection bill includes several shipping-related measures. From 1 July 2025, discharges from open-loop scrubbers will be banned in territorial waters, with a full ban on all scrubber discharges from January 2029. Coordinated with Finland and Denmark, this aims to provide clarity for the shipping sector and avoid fragmented regulation. Sweden is actively working through HELCOM and OSPAR to advocate for an international ban via IMO. These commitments were also announced in the Plenary meeting of the Conference by the Swedish Minister for Climate and the Environment.

Magnus Heunicke, Minister for Environment, Denmark, confirmed that Danmark will also introduce a ban in the Danish territorial sea, 12 nautical miles from the coast. The ban will take effect from 1 July 2025 and closed loop scrubbers will be banned from 1 July 2029. He highlighted the importance of working, “glocal”, on both local and global level and to base the work on science. The minister concluded that the ocean cannot protect itself and expressed hope that more and more countries would introduce similar bans. 

Alan Symoneaux, Assistant Deputy Director for Safety and Environmental Transition of Ships, France, noted that the risks of scrubber discharges have been known since sulphur limits were introduced. France banned open-loop scrubber discharges within 3 nautical miles of shore in 2022. He emphasized that new research, including from Chalmers University, provides further scientific backing for action. While IMO is key to global regulation, regional efforts are also important, and France remains firmly committed to OSPAR. If international or regional measures fall short, France may extend the ban to 12 nautical miles and include all scrubber types.
>> See Alans presentation from the seminar

Ida-Maja Hassellöv, Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, outlined the environmental impacts of scrubber discharges. She explained that the 2020 sulphur emission regulations led to increased use of scrubbers under the MARPOL Convention, allowing continued use of heavy fuel oil. She concluded that there is scientific consensus that scrubbers pose an unacceptable risk to the marine environment. 
>> See Ida-Majas presentation from the seminar  

Fredrik Haag, Head of Office of the IMO:s London Convention/Protocol and Ocean Affairs, represented the organization which bring countries together to set global shipping rules. He noted that the 2020 sulphur cap allows continued use of high-sulphur fuel with exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS scrubbers). However, this is complemented by IMO guidelines, such as the 2022 guidance on risk and impact assessments of EGCS discharge water. He emphasized that IMO’s work is driven by member states and encouraged countries to take initiative and propose future regulations on scrubbers.

Niels Krabbe, Senior lecturer in environmental law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, emphasized that using scrubbers to reduce air pollution results in marine pollution. Citing The UN law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Article 195, which prohibits transferring or transforming pollution, he argued that discharges from open-loop scrubbers are illegal. He urged states to stop certifying ships with open-loop scrubbers, hold flag states accountable, and use port state jurisdiction to enforce violations. He also suggested that countries could jointly seek an advisory opinion from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
>> See Niels presentation from the seminar

Dominic Pattinsson, Executive Secretary at OSPAR, explained how countries in the North-East Atlantic cooperate to develop regional regulations. The OSPAR Convention provides a broad mandate, allowing Contracting Parties to adopt stricter rules than those at the global level, potentially paving the way for future IMO bans. He noted that OSPAR's upcoming Ministerial meeting will consider both binding measures and recommendations to reduce scrubber discharges. He also stressed the value of leadership by individual countries to drive progress from which others can benefit.

Helene Samuelsson, VP Group Communication, Wallenius Lines, stated that the company welcomes regulations on scrubbers due to their negative environmental impact. While shipping companies continue using high-sulphur heavy fuel oil with scrubbers, this method is highly effective and relatively inexpensive for them —but costly for the ocean and unfair to competitors striving for sustainable development. According to Wallenius Lines, the industry is well aware of the negative effects of scrubbers, and it would have been preferable to mandate the use of low-sulphur fuels instead. Samuelsson called for the elimination of harmful shortcuts and advocated for a global ban on high-sulphur fuels. She concluded that scrubbers are simply a stumbling block to sustainable development.
>> See Helenes presentation from the seminar

Discussion

During the discussion Denmark was represented by Tone Madsen, Head of ocean and Marine Nature, at the Ministry of Environment, and Sweden was represented by Mattias Rust, Deputy director, Ministry of Rural affairs and infrastructure.

The panel discussed ways to speed up the process of agreeing on bans for discharge from scrubbers and what it means that already 2023 more than 45 states had implemented restrictions or bans on scrubber discharges in their territorial waters and ports.[1]

Several participants stressed that progress is often faster at the national and local levels than globally, where differing views among countries can slow decision-making. National bans show political leadership, and as more countries act, global momentum increases. While current bans may appear fragmented, they mark an important base point. Staggered phase-out dates for different scrubber types, such as open and closed-loop systems, were suggested as a way forward. The idea of putting pressure on shipowners was also raised, highlighting the role of NGO:s and the financial sector. 

Overall, participants agreed that global regulations on scrubbers would be ideal, but national and regional action is essential to drive progress and guide future IMO and regional decisions. Panellists emphasized the need to correct flawed regulations - such as allowing scrubbers - and called for decisive, coordinated action at all levels: national, regional, and global.
 

[1] International council on clean transportation (ICCT) Global update on scrubber band and restrictions, June 2023.