Bahrain

Bahrain’s ports and waters are outside of IMO MARPOL Annex VI Emission Control Areas. Under Annex VI regulation 14 the maximum fuel sulphur limit of 0.50% applies from 1 January 2020. While regulation 4 also applies and approved EGCS can be used as an alternative means of compliance, discharges from open loop scrubbers are not permitted in port and anchorage areas.

While Bahrain has to date not ratified MARPOL Annex VI (click to view current status), Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications Marine Notice PMA/03/2019 (click here to download) applies and section 5 paragraphs 1 through 4 are of particular relevance.

In Bahraini territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) EGCS discharges are permitted if in compliance with the IMO 2015 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (resolution MEPC.259(68) and there is no negative impact on marine ecosystems.

A permit to discharge must first be obtained from the Marine Safety & Environment Protection Directorate (MSEPD) at Ports and Maritime Affairs (PMA). The application for a permit must include results of washwater testing undertaken during commissioning of the EGCS and repeated every twelve months, as a minimum, for a period of two years. Ships may not be allowed to discharge washwater from an EGCS in Bahraini waters if this data, or evidence that samples have been taken for analysis, cannot be provided.

Section 5 paragraph 4 goes on to state that PMA strongly encourages the vessel to use the close loop mode (no discharge overboard) when it sails within Bahraini waters.

Marine laws, regulations and notices can be downloaded at the PMA website http://mtt.gov.bh/content/pma-law-and-regulation , although it should be noted that Marine Notice PMA/03/2019 is not listed.