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Marine Log’s latest Listen Up! podcast delves into the growing debate surrounding the Oslo-Paris Convention’s (OSPAR) recent move to limit the use of exhaust gas cleaning systems—commonly known as scrubbers—in the North Atlantic and the inland waters of its member states.
In the episode, Marine Log Editor in Chief Heather Ervin speaks with Andreas Chrysostomou, Executive Director of the Clean Shipping Alliance (CSA), and Capt. Mike Kaczmarek, CSA Chairman. Together, they discuss the potential ripple effects of the new restrictions on the maritime industry’s environmental and operational strategies.
Chrysostomou, who has described OSPAR’s decision as “incredibly dangerous,” explains why the Clean Shipping Alliance believes these new rules pose serious challenges. He emphasizes that most OSPAR member countries did not carry out proper risk assessments before implementing the restrictions—an oversight that, according to the CSA, could undermine efforts to transition toward cleaner shipping technologies.
The conversation highlights concerns that the restrictions may disrupt ongoing investments in transitional technologies and create inconsistencies in regional regulatory frameworks. Chrysostomou warns that such policy actions could unintentionally slow the industry’s environmental progress rather than accelerate it.
Capt. Kaczmarek adds his perspective on the broader implications, noting that regulatory uncertainty may force ship operators to reconsider their compliance strategies and long-term environmental commitments.
The podcast offers valuable insights into how policy decisions, even when well-intentioned, can reshape industry behavior and influence the pace of maritime decarbonization efforts.
