Staged ban targets scrubber water discharges in coastal zones of the North-East Ocean Atlantic, with roadmap to strengthen by 2027.
Vigo, Spain – 27 June 2025 – OSPAR, In a decisive step toward strengthening marine environmental protection, Ministers and senior representatives from 16 countries and the European Union gathered in Vigo, Spain, for the OSPAR Ministerial Meeting—an event marked by ambitious commitments and multilateral cooperation to safeguard the North-East Atlantic Ocean.
The meeting, hosted by the Spanish Government, served as a crucial milestone in the implementation of the North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy (NEAES) 2030, the regional framework guiding efforts to restore and protect marine ecosystems across the region.
Held just weeks after the United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, the Vigo summit reaffirmed international resolve to address what has been termed the “triple planetary crisis”—climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The Contracting Parties adopted the Vigo Ministerial Declaration, a shared political commitment to accelerate action and strengthen governance of the marine environment.
Key Maritime and Environmental Outcomes
1. Ban on Scrubber Water Discharges in Coastal Waters: In a development of particular significance for the shipping and bunkering sectors, OSPAR Ministers agreed to a staged ban on discharge waters from ships’ Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS)—commonly known as scrubbers—in coastal zones. This includes discharges from open-loop systems, which have long been under scrutiny for their potential environmental harm. A roadmap was also established to consider further strengthening these restrictions by 2027.
This decision reflects growing concern over the impacts of EGCS discharges, especially in ecologically sensitive nearshore waters, and is expected to influence global discussions around sustainable shipping practices.
2. Historic Expansion of OSPAR Maritime Area: The meeting also saw a landmark agreement to expand the OSPAR Maritime Area by more than 2.5 million square kilometers, now incorporating the waters surrounding the Azores, Madeira, and Canary Islands—collectively known as the Macaronesian region.
This move brings some of the most biodiverse and ecologically critical waters of the Atlantic under OSPAR protection, enhancing regional conservation efforts and highlighting the importance of transnational collaboration.
3. Tackling Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution: Two new measures were added to OSPAR’s Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter:
- A ban on plastic pollution originating from pontoons and buoys.
- The promotion of best practices to reduce marine litter across industries and sectors.
These measures aim to target major sources of marine debris, including those connected to offshore infrastructure and coastal activities.
4. Regional Action Plans on Underwater Noise and Benthic Habitats: New plans were launched to address two often-overlooked threats to marine ecosystems: underwater noise pollution and the degradation of benthic (seafloor) habitats. These efforts seek to mitigate impacts from human activity, such as shipping, offshore construction, and trawling.
5. Strengthening Arctic Marine Protection: OSPAR Ministers took action to strengthen conservation efforts in the Arctic (Region I), committing to:
- Increased engagement with Arctic Indigenous Peoples Organisations.
- Identification of potential Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and other conservation mechanisms in the far north.
6. Offshore Installations and Environmental Responsibility: Reaffirming the principles of the 1998 Sintra Statement, OSPAR reiterated that the sea must not be used as a dumping ground. Parties pledged to further limit derogations—or exceptions—from the requirement to fully remove disused offshore oil and gas infrastructure.
This commitment signals increased scrutiny on decommissioning practices and reinforces long-term environmental stewardship in the offshore energy sector.
7. Radioactive Substances Monitoring: Two new indicators were adopted to monitor:
- Environmental concentrations of artificial radioactive substances.
- Radioactive discharges from the nuclear sector.
These indicators will help track pollution levels and inform evidence-based regulation across the region.
8. Preparing for Emerging Pressures: Finally, the meeting launched a process to future-proof the OSPAR Convention, with discussions aimed at addressing emerging marine challenges such as:
- Offshore renewables
- Space launch debris
- Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
- Hydrogen production linked to offshore oil and gas
- Land-based pollution sources
This proactive approach underscores OSPAR’s role as a leading platform for regional ocean governance capable of adapting to future risks and technologies.
Strong Leadership and Global Relevance
Speaking on the outcomes, Dominic Pattinson, Executive Secretary of the OSPAR Commission, said:
“The decisions taken today in Vigo reflect our shared commitment to protect our ocean through cooperation, ambition, and accountability. With these new measures, OSPAR continues to lead the way in regional marine protection.”
The Vigo Ministerial Meeting has set a high benchmark for science-based marine policy and demonstrated how regional cooperation can result in tangible, scalable action to protect ocean health.
As maritime industries—particularly shipping, offshore energy, and bunkering—grapple with increasing environmental regulation and sustainability demands, OSPAR’s decisions will have far-reaching implications. Stakeholders across the sector should stay informed and aligned with these evolving standards.
About OSPAR
OSPAR is the mechanism by which 15 governments and the European Union cooperate to protect the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic. The OSPAR Convention evolved from the Oslo Convention (1972) and the Paris Convention (1974), and was unified under the 1992 OSPAR Convention.
The Contracting Parties include: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
Source OSPAR