2026-01: Use of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems
02 February 2026
In accordance with UK regulations as detailed below:
All exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), (also referred to as scrubbers) used within Harwich Haven Authority’s statutory harbour limits must be fully functioning and certified as compliant with IMO standards.
Vessels operating hybrid scrubbers within Harwich Haven Authority’s statutory harbour limits must be used in closed loop mode.
All vessels discharging wastewater from open loop scrubbers must be able to demonstrate to the Harbour Master compliance with The Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2008 (Schedule 2A) as amended and section 2 of MSN 1819 (M&F) as amended as follows:
“2.1 The master of any ship must ensure that waste streams from the use of exhaust gas cleaning systems equipment are not discharged into any port, harbour or estuary unless it is thoroughly documented that the waste streams will have no adverse impact on the ecosystem of the port, harbour or estuary.”
“2.2 The master of any ship within United Kingdom waters that is to use an exhaust gas cleaning system shall provide documentation that demonstrates that waste streams discharged to the sea will have no adverse impact on the ecosystem of that port harbour or estuary”
Documentation should be provided to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) via [email protected] and to Harwich Haven Authority via [email protected] for consideration by the Harbour Master and Environment Manager at least two working days in advance of likely entry into Harwich Haven Authority’s jurisdiction.
Harwich Haven Authority’s statutory harbour limits are shown in the drawing (see PDF version below).