Star Bulk Carriers is confident in the future of open-loop scrubbers, despite public outcry and pending regulatory scrutiny over the IMO 2020 devices.

Environmental groups last week called for a total ban on them, pointing to numerous use violations allegedly committed by Carnival Corp.

At the same time, IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) approved the European Union's February request to "harmonise" IMO scrubber rules over the next year.