Danish companies launch new study on vessel emissions
The private Danish industry initiative, Green Ship of the Future, have formed a new study on finding technologies to meet the International Maritime Organization’s emission levels for ships sailing in the Emission Controlled Areas (ECA).
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has decided that all vessels sailing in the ECA must reduce Sulphur level in fuel oil to 0.1 % or clean the exhaust gas to an equivalent level by 2015. The private Danish industry initiative Green Ship of the Future now launches a new study where a group of companies will work together on comparing various abatement technologies to fulfil the IMO decision. The objective of the project is to set up practical solutions as well as uncovering the financial aspects regarding installation, operation and maintenance of the three most realistic alternatives
- Low-sulphur fuel/distillate
- LNG as fuel
- Scrubber technology
The basis for the project is a newly built 38,500 DWT tanker from D/S NORDEN A/S, and the project partners are expected to deliver results during 2011.
In the study, the use of low-sulphur fuel/distillate will function as reference case as to the feasibility of the other two investigated solutions. The alternative solutions will be evaluated by means of various scenarios considering operational profiles and fuel prices and evaluation will take into account that the vessel will be sailing in both ECA and non-ECA waters.
Alex Hjortnæs, Senior Newbuilding Manager at D/S NORDEN A/S, says, ‘As owner and operator of vessels operating both inside and outside ECA waters, we are following the rules and regulations regarding the SOx limits closely. We find it very important to find the optimum solution for both our existing fleet and for future newbuildings, and we expect that participation in this project will give us a valuable insight in that respect.’
Senior Director Tommy Thomassen, Maersk Tankers – Technical Operation, has the following statement regarding the project, 'Maersk Tankers have set ambitious targets for reducing environmental impact, hereunder sulphur emissions to air. Through participation in this ECA study by Green Ship of the Future, we expect to gain valuable knowledge, data and know-how when comparing and evaluating different solutions.'
In all, the group consists of Aalborg Industries, D/S NORDEN, Danish Shipowners’ Association, Lloyd’s Register, Maersk Maritime Technology, Maersk Tankers, MAN Diesel & Turbo, Schmidt Maritime and with the Green Ship of the Future secretariat as coordinators. The project is jointly funded by the Danish Maritime Fund and the participating companies.
2011-03-01 14:30:00