OCEAN Pollution actions to take

Cruise ships generate large amounts of ocean pollution, including blackwater (sewage), grey water (from sinks, showers, laundry), incinerator ash, oily bilge water, and ballast water.  By far the largest amount of pollution identified by West Coast Environmental Law is from scrubbers which are devices installed to remove exhaust gases such as sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide, as well as particulates, from the heavy bunker fuel that has traditionally been used as marine fuel. 

At least 47 countries and ports have introduced bans or restrictions on scrubber discharges, as well as five of Canada’s seventeen federal port authorities.  In British Columbia, the ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert have banned scrubber wash water discharges while ships are at berth and at anchor.

See our FAQs on Ocean Pollution and Scrubbers for more information on the problem of cruise-caused ocean pollution.

OCEAN POLLUTION ACTIONS NEEDED

• Use lowest sulphur fuels possible to reduce pollutants when entering port, maneuvering, and at berth  

• Ban use of scrubber wash water discharges at Ogden Point and in the Port of Victoria immediately, and enforce compliance

• Ban use of scrubbers in all Canadian waters