More and more ships discharge toxic flue gas water directly into the sea to the great detriment of the marine environment. That is why several green organizations proposed a year ago that Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke (S) ban the discharge of flue gas water by ships in the Danish territorial waters (out to the 12 nautical mile limit). There are currently over 100 restrictions against ships' discharge of flue gas water in other countries. But even though the Danish sea areas are some of the most polluting of the ships' flue gas water, Denmark still has no restrictions on the discharge.

On Friday, the green organizations met with the Minister of the Environment and can state with satisfaction that the Minister has listened to the concerns raised by the organisations. The Minister has investigated the matter in detail. The economic costs of a ban are very limited. On the other hand, a ban would be a great gain for the marine environment and ensure that Denmark lives up to its obligations in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The next step is an international ban, as the majority of flue gas water is discharged in the international part of the Danish sea areas. The green organizations are pushing to achieve this via OSPAR, HELCOM, the EU and IMO.

The undersigned organizations hope that all parties wholeheartedly support the ban.

Flue gas water from ships
An increasing number of ships use so-called scrubbers, where the flue gas from the ships is given a shower, after which the polluted flue gas water with toxic heavy metals and tar substances is discharged directly into the sea. The alternative to scrubbers is that the ships simply use cleaner fuels and reduce pollution. But since the cleaner fuels are more expensive, scrubbers are attractive. In 2008, there were three ships with scrubbers. Now there are over 5.000.

The minister's proposal (see also the email below): https://mim.dk/nyheder/pressemeddelelser/2024/marts/miljoeminister-vil-lave-forbud-nye-tal-viser-markant-udledning-af-farlige-stoffer-fra-skibe

Contact persons of signatories

Jeppe Juul, head of transport policy, tel. 33 18 19 48 Green Transition Denmark

Kåre Press-Kristensen, senior advisor, tel. 22 81 10 27, Green Global Future

Knud N. Flensted, nature policy advisor, mobile 21 24 22 75, DOF BirdLife

Henning Mørk Jørgensen, Advisor, tel. 31 19 32 35, Danmarks Naturfredningsforening.

Marc Eskelund, Political advisor, tel. 26 27 69 12, Association for Gentle Coastal Fisheries

Philip Thomasen, Consultant, tel. 30 92 00 11, Tänketanken Hav

Thomas Kirk Sørensen, Specialist, tel. 25 14 25 51, WWF World Wildlife Fund

Lars Brinch Thygesen, Nature and Environment Consultant, tel. 40 14 10 77, Danish Sports Fishing Association

Thea P. Strand, Head of Secretariat, tel. 31 20 56 02, National Association for Nature & Youth

Sune Scheller, Campaign Manager, tel. 27 14 42 57, Greenpeace Denmark