# Marine Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (Scrubbers)

*Last updated: 2026-06-25*

> Shipping companies fit marine exhaust gas cleaning systems – commonly called scrubbers – to reduce sulfur oxides (SOx) in engine exhaust and comply with the sulfur emission limits under MARPOL Annex VI.

Shipping companies fit marine exhaust gas cleaning systems – commonly called scrubbers – to reduce sulfur oxides (SOx) in engine exhaust and comply with the sulfur emission limits under MARPOL Annex VI. The units clean exhaust gases using seawater or alkaline solutions; three main configurations exist – open-loop, closed-loop, and hybrid – differing primarily in how they manage the resulting washwater discharge. Scrubbers represent a technical alternative to burning Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) or LNG, and the investment case hinges on the price spread between high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO) and low-sulfur alternatives. A growing number of ports and coastal jurisdictions have banned open-loop scrubber discharges, pushing operators toward closed-loop or hybrid configurations.

**Source:** [https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Sulphur-oxides-(SOx)-–-Regulation-14.aspx](https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Sulphur-oxides-(SOx)-–-Regulation-14.aspx)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Marine Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (Scrubbers) |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 114 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-25 |
| Source | https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Environment/Pages/Sulphur-oxides-(SOx)-–-Regulation-14.aspx |

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