Local Group Urges Portland to Ban Cruise Ship Scrubber Discharges Amid Pollution Concerns
Portland, Maine – July 12, 2025 — As cruise ships continue to pour into Portland’s harbor this summer, bringing thousands of tourists to Maine’s scenic coastline, concerns over marine pollution are surfacing just as swiftly. A local environmental group, Portland Cruise Control, is now pushing city officials to take decisive action against one particular source of contamination: scrubber wash discharge.
Scrubber discharge — the wastewater generated when cruise ships clean their exhaust systems using onboard “scrubbers” — is drawing mounting criticism for its environmental impact. According to Portland Cruise Control, this byproduct contains harmful toxins and heavy metals, and is being dumped directly into Portland Harbor. The group contends that this practice not only degrades local water quality but also encourages ships to burn cheaper, dirtier fuel, defeating broader climate and pollution goals.
“There’s no separation between our harbor and where we live,” said Joann Locktov, co-founder of Portland Cruise Control. “We’re trying so hard to come up with solutions.”
Locktov and her group have formally proposed a ban on scrubber wash discharge within Portland Harbor. They say such a measure could be implemented through the city’s terminal tariff system — the set of rules and charges that apply to ships docking at the port. Similar tariffs already prohibit certain discharges, and Locktov argues the city can extend this authority to include scrubber effluent.
“That would literally mean that all of that toxic scrubber discharge is completely eliminated,” Locktov said. “It’s about anywhere around 8 million gallons that the ships are discharging while they’re here.”
The group’s demands come amid growing global scrutiny of scrubber systems, officially known as Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS). While designed to reduce sulfur emissions from ship exhaust — in line with international air pollution regulations — scrubbers often shift the pollution from the air to the sea. Open-loop scrubbers, the most common type, discharge untreated or lightly treated water into the ocean, which can include oil residues, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals like lead and mercury.
A recent interactive map by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) shows just how pervasive scrubber discharges have become — not only along Maine’s coast but in major waterways worldwide. Environmental groups warn that without stricter local measures, ports like Portland risk becoming dumping grounds for these waste streams.
In response to the growing calls for reform, city officials say they are aware of the concerns and are actively exploring options. However, regulatory hurdles remain.
Jessica Grondin, Portland’s Communications Director, said in a statement to NEWS CENTER Maine, “The City is invested in improving air monitoring equipment at Ocean Gateway and on Munjoy Hill, policy discussions about scrubber wash discharge, and exploring alternative options for powering cruise ships while in port. However, the City is not a regulatory body for air emissions. Emission standards are set by the EPA, and the U.S. Coast Guard is the primary enforcing body.”
While the city itself cannot regulate ship emissions directly, activists believe that port-level policies like docking restrictions and wastewater bans are viable tools that can send a strong message to the cruise industry. Some European ports, including those in Germany and Norway, have already adopted such restrictions, forcing ships to either switch to cleaner fuels or install more environmentally sound technology.
As cruise tourism continues to boom in Maine, environmental advocates argue that now is the time for Portland to lead by example.
“We welcome visitors,” Locktov said, “but we shouldn’t have to choose between economic growth and the health of our harbor.”
Author: shipping inbox
shipping and maritime related web portal
