The Parliament of Greenland has unanimously voted to implement a phased ban on the discharge of washwater from marine exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) into its waters.
Sea-news.az reports that citing foreign media outlets.
Under the legislation passed on November 4, the discharge of washwater from open-loop scrubbers into Greenlandic ports, internal waters, and territorial seas will be prohibited starting July 1, 2027. By July 1, 2029, the ban will extend to all types of scrubbers, including closed-loop systems.
Scrubbers allow vessels to continue burning high-sulfur fuel oils while removing sulfur oxides from engine exhaust emissions. However, the effluent generated during this process carries sulfur compounds, heavy metals, and other toxic contaminants that pose environmental risks to marine ecosystems.
The full impact of the measure on the cruise shipping industry remains to be seen. In 2025, Greenland recorded 232 cruise ship voyages carrying approximately 94,000 passengers throughout its coastal region.
Vessels subject to the upcoming regulations are not required to cancel itineraries to Greenland or decommission their scrubber units. To remain compliant and avoid wastewater discharge, ships may switch to low-sulfur fuels such as Marine Gas Oil (MGO) while operating in regulated zones.
