The IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) held its 9th session virtually from 4-8 April and advanced guidelines on the delivery of exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) water and residues to port reception facilities.
“Draft guidelines on the delivery of exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) water and residues to port reception facilities will be presented to MEPC 78 in June 2022 for further consideration.” “/ / 
Source: IMO
Draft guidelines on the delivery of exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) water and residues to port reception facilities will be presented to MEPC 78 in June 2022 for further consideration.
ABS has provided an update on PPR 9 noting that the Sub-Committee finalised the development of the draft guidelines which will now be presented to MEPC 78 in June 2022 for further consideration.
While discharge water can be discharged into the sea (in accordance with 2021 guidelines), it should be kept in holding tanks in ports, harbours and estuaries or discharged at port reception facilities. However, the guidelines distinguish between EGCS residue, washwater and bleed-off water and clarify that EGCS residues (material removed from washwater or bleed-off water by a treatment system or discharge water either of which do not meet the discharge criterion for EGCS) should not be discharged to the sea, mixed with other waste streams or burned in the ship’s incinerator. Instead, they should be appropriately managed onboard and delivered ashore to adequate reception facilities.
ABS also confirms that the Sub-Committee finalised development of draft guidelines for assessing impacts and risks associated with the discharge water. The guidelines provide information on recommended methodology for risk and impact assessments that Member States should follow when setting local or regional regulations to protect sensitive environments from the discharge water from EGCS that complies with the Convention. These guidelines will also be presented to MEPC 78 for further consideration.
