Environmental protection
International regulations on environmental protection are found mainly in MARPOL, a convention produced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The provisions have been incorporated into the regulations of the Swedish Maritime Administration’s (TSFS 2010:96) and General Advice on prevention of pollution from ships. TSFS 2010:96 comprises provisions on prevention of pollution to the aquatic environment as well as to the air.
New rules in Swedish territorial waters from 1 July concerning discharges from exhaust gas cleaning systems on ships, scrubbers
From 1 July 2025, overboard discharges from scrubbers in “open loop mode” are no longer permitted within the territorial waters of Sweden.
This means that ships using an open loop scrubber must be able to show that they have switched to compliant fuel and switched off their scrubber before entering Swedish territorial waters. If the vessel is equipped with a hybrid-scrubber, it can be operated in “closed loop mode” within the territorial waters of Sweden.
These rules apply for all ships fitted with scrubbers, and residual products from all types of scrubbers must be delivered to port reception facilities. If the vessel is equipped with a hybrid-scrubber, it can be operated in “closed loop mode” within the territorial waters of Sweden.
New rules related to the same issue also apply in Denmark and Finland as of July 1st. Special rules for scrubbers operating in “closed loop mode” may apply in ports. Contact the relevant port for further information.
For queries, please contact miljo@transportstyrelsen.se