Norway should follow Denmark and ban the use of scrubbers on board ships
In April this year, Denmark adopted a ban on the discharge of so-called scrubber water from ships up to 22km from the Danish coast. The law comes into effect from July 1, 2025. Sweden is also planning a similar ban from next summer.
Head of environment at the Port of Bergen and ceo of EPI, Even Husby tells Cruise Europe why he feels it is vital that Norway follows suit.
“In Norway, a ban on scrubber use is not even a topic of political discussion. It should be. Norwegian waters encompass a long coastline, fjords, archipelagos, and a rich and vulnerable biological diversity.
“Today, ships sailing in Norwegian waters can use so-called open-loop scrubbers to remove sulphur from the heavy bunker oil they sail on by washing the smoke and then discharging the scrubber water directly into the sea.
“The problem is that dirty water, which is filled with harmful substances such as heavy metals and sulphuric acid, is pumped into the sea, turning it into a dumping ground for dangerous chemicals. The Swedish Environmental Institute IVL and the Norwegian Polar Institute, among others, have documented this effect well.
“Take cruiseships as an example. When they enter and exit Norwegian fjords or dock in Norwegian cities and towns, you can often see white smoke from the ships’ chimneys. This means the scrubbers are running to clean the smoke, while the pollution ends up in the fjord, in the harbour basin, or the waters along the coast.
“Take Bergen as an example. There has been a considerable debate about the future of cruise tourism, and the city has implemented several measures to reduce emissions. Among other things, Bergen has Europe’s largest shore power facility for cruiseships, and environmentally-friendly ships are rewarded, while the most polluting ones are subjected to additional fees. From 2026, all cruiseships visiting the port must be emission-free, and by 2030, Bergen Port aims to be a zero-emission port.
“The challenge is that we cannot do anything about using scrubbers since no law gives us that possibility. We are far behind many international ports here. For example, China, Singapore, and several EU countries have regulations that limit or prohibit emissions from these systems in ports and territorial waters. In the United States, states like California and ports, such as Seattle, have introduced such bans.
“Having said that, I would like to say that cruiseships are in general collaborating if we ask them to turn off the scrubber while in port. Our main concern, however, is the effect of scrubber use while underway in the fjords and along the coast. This is not an exclusive cruise concern, but the challenge relates to all ship types.
“Norway must not be left behind while neighbouring countries take responsibility. We must introduce a national ban on scrubbers in shipping now. The marine environment deserves protection, and shipping must become part of the solution, not the problem.”
(Norway should follow Denmark and ban the use of scrubbers on board ships – Cruise Europe)
