Scrubber Webinar
We kicked off our campaign to end scrubber pollution in Alaska this year; as we wrap up 2024, I wanted to update you on what’s been happening here, as well as some of the year’s big news worldwide.
You’ve probably heard a bit about scrubber pollution from me by now. Most large cruise ships visiting Alaska use exhaust gas scrubber systems as a cheaper alternative to burning cleaner fuels. While scrubbers may seem beneficial — removing pollution from the air — they allow ships to continue burning dirty fuel, transferring those pollutants to the millions of gallons of acidic, polluted wastewater discharged into our living marine waters daily.
So far, more than 50 countries, regions, and ports have enacted restrictions or bans on scrubbers — Alaska needs these protections too. We’re calling for an immediate end to this harmful pollution.
The long-term effects of this growing pollution source are still unknown, but we can’t afford to wait. With big plans for 2025, we hope you’ll stay tuned as we continue addressing this threat.
Resources
Scrubber Webinar
In September, SEACC co-hosted a webinar with Pacific Environment and Alaska Community Action on Toxics, featuring a panel of experts representing these organizations, other partners, harvesters and Indigenous voices.
The session explored the growing body of scientific evidence showing how exhaust gas cleaning systems, or scrubbers, harm marine ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
Our campaign video
We put together this video overview of scrubber pollution from cruise ships visiting Alaska. It’s a quick, educational watch.
Scrubber Fact Sheet
Summary of 26 recent scientific studies from Pacific Environment
The report reveals that scrubber discharges are highly toxic to marine life, even at very low concentrations, and pose significant risks to marine food webs.
In the news
The Scrubber Loophole in The Alaska Current
“Instead of cleaner fuel, they’re now using this fundamentally unsound approach,” Brakel said. “They’re taking this air pollution, and instead of burning cleaner fuel, they’re now just dumping this stuff straight into the water. It’s a serious problem, the studies were never done. They never did the due diligence to understand what the impacts to waters really would be around the world, and certainly they never did that work in Alaska.”
KTOO covers scrubber pollution
Advocates call for a ban on cruise ship scrubbers, citing pollution concerns. The article highlights a scrubber pollution incident and quotes Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Cruise Ship Program Manager Ben Eisenstein, who said: “We find violations very frequently on scrubbers.”
Sweden putting stop to scrubbers
“The Swedish government wants to start prohibiting discharges from open loop scrubbers beginning July 1, 2025. This will be followed by a ban on discharges from all other scrubbers from January 1, 2029. The ban will be applicable in Swedish territorial waters.”
Kay Brown calls out cruise lines
Scrubbers: The shipping industry’s greenwashing deception. Kay writes: “Cruise ships are among the largest scrubber polluters, accounting for about 15% of scrubber discharge worldwide. In Alaska, a major cruise destination, scrubber discharges heavily impact the waters of Southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage…”
Denmark bans scrubber discharge
“Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke put forward a bill that will prohibit the discharge of scrubber water from ships in Danish territorial waters, which extend to 22 km from the Danish coasts. … Ships will have to switch to using either fuel with a low sulfur content or closed scrubbers with zero emissions.”
The International Council on Clean Transportation keeps a list of scrubber bans and restrictions worldwide.
What can we do?
The recent election tells us the federal government isn’t coming to help us out any time soon, but there are still options at the state level. You can help right now by signing our petition, demonstrating your support for an end to cruise ship scrubber pollution in Alaska.
If you value this important work, there are many ways to support it, including by making a donation. When you make a donation of $35 or more, not only are you ensuring we have the resources and capacity to take on pollution from an industry giant, your membership tells decision makers you’re one of the many voices we represent — we can do so much more together.
