Finland’s ban on discharges from ships in its territorial waters that contribute directly to marine pollution came into effect on Tuesday, July 1, with the law incorporating extended transition periods. The new legislation, passed in December 2024, came into force in July 2025. With this move, Finland has become a pioneer in curbing ship emissions, while work from other neighbour countries continues on a ban on ship wastewater discharges.
Washing water from open-loop equipment is discharged into the sea, and discharges from such equipment are prohibited from July 1, 2025.
In closed-loop equipment, residues are separated from washing water. Discharges of closed-loop washing water and residues into the sea will be prohibited from January 1, 2029.
The prohibition on greywater discharges will enter into force at the beginning of 2030.
The government approved the legislative amendments last year, with the President of the Republic of Finland ratifying amendments to the Act on Environmental Protection in Maritime Transport and the related acts on Dec. 30.
Finland ratified amendments that prohibit the discharges of sulphur scrubber washing waters and residues separated by scrubbers, treated sewage and greywater in Finland’s territorial waters. Greywater means water from showers, washing machines and kitchens.
The government said in December that the prohibitions on discharges from ships in Finnish territorial waters will enter into force in stages from July 1, 2025, when the discharge of treated sewage and open-loop sulphur scrubber waters will be prohibited.
The discharge of closed-loop sulphur scrubber waters and residues into water will be prohibited from January 1, 2029, and the prohibition on the discharge of greywater will enter into force from 2030.
