Scrubbers perform better than required
(Posted on 02/03/20)
Scrubber reliability and their emissions reducing efficiency were addressed in February during a technical seminar in which members of the Clean Shipping Alliance (CSA) 2020 reported on the installation and performance of their respective exhaust gas cleaning systems.
A shipowner panel comprising Grimaldi Group, Genco Shipping and Trading, and Spliethoff informed delegates that, despite initial installation problems, there had been little by way of mechanical breakdown, corrosion or non-compliant operation. All panel members said that their EGCS installations were removing substantially more sulphur emissions than the 0.50% required to comply with the global sulphur cap.
With almost ten years’ experience operating ECGS, Arne Hubregtse, technical director and a member of the Spliethoff executive board, said: “We have not had any major problems; we don't see any corrosion issues or any breakdown issues. We are satisfied with our decision to install scrubbers and we look forward to operating these systems for a long time. From an environmental perspective, if you look at the total picture, scrubbers are still the best intermediate solution we have until a zero-emission propulsion solution is found.”
Italy’s Grimaldi Group, which operates about 100 EGCS-fitted vessels, reported similar success.
Addressing industry delegates at the CSA 2020 event in London, on 20 February, Dario Bocchetti, head of Grimaldi’s corporate energy saving and innovation department, explained the company has fitted the technology to about 70% of its fleet, with installations capable of reducing sulphur emissions down to 0.10%.
Bocchetti said the decision to install the system was to “go beyond the legislation”. Grimaldi Group’s scrubber installations are achieving about 90% up-time.
Genco Shipping and Trading, which has installed open-loop EGCS to 17 Capesize bulkers, the most recent of which entered service in January, offered similar sentiment. chief operating officer, Capt. Robert Hughes, explained: “We've had no breakdowns. But a lot of that is due to good planning, planning for performance. You must do the mental heavy lifting ahead of time, chose the right supplier, and identify where there could be some limitations and vulnerability. We haven't experienced any issues.”
While scrubbers have been operating successfully over many years in land-based power stations, the marinization of the technology has led to some concern over corrosion. However, the panellists said this can easily be avoided by applying “proper countermeasures”.
Although none of the panellists’ vessels have experienced scrubber-related corrosion issues, Hubregtse said: “You do need to do your homework. You know what's potentially going to go wrong so focus on that.”
“We operate in a saltwater environment and things do rust out. If you're working on anything in the marine environment, it will break down, so you need to have a plan of action in place as you would with any system,” he said. Ultimately the goal here is investing in a well-trained crew united in their focus on cleaner emissions.”
With exhaust gas cleaning systems weighing between 10t and 100t and taking up additional space, ship stability and cargo capacity must be carefully assessed. However, the panellists advised that only in limited cases, say on some smaller vessels, alternative emissions reducing technology may be the better option.
Latest News
Groke brings new situation awareness expertise to One Sea
(Posted on 24/03/23)One Sea has welcomeed Finnish start-up Groke Technologies as its new member, bringing additional expertise... Read more
ClassNK releases FAQs on EU-ETS for shipping
(Posted on 24/03/23)ClassNK has released “FAQs on the EU-ETS for Shipping”, an overview and necessary preparation... Read more
New AXSMarine tool helps users visualize CO2 emissions and CII
(Posted on 20/03/23)AXSMarine, a pioneer and market leader in the provision of advanced solutions for shipping professionals... Read more
Shipzero advances the decarbonization of logistics
(Posted on 20/03/23)Shipzero is enabling transport and logistics companies to create transparency about their emissions... Read more
Isle of Man Ship Registry joins INTERCARGO
(Posted on 07/03/23)The Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR) has become an associate member of The International Association... Read more
More investment into crews’ health and nutrition says MCTC
(Posted on 07/03/23)The wellbeing of crew members is becoming more important to shipping companies says leading catering... Read more
Strong demand and diversified vessel portfolio fuels strong Algoma performance
(Posted on 28/02/23)Canada based Algoma Central Corporation has reported its results for the year ended 31 December, 2022... Read more
Ukrainian seafarers back, but many have suffered trauma
(Posted on 24/02/23)Ukrainian seafarers have largely returned to international shipping thereby restoring balance in crew... Read more
Round Table prioritises seafarers at first in-person meeting since COVID
(Posted on 24/02/23)The Chairs of the Round Table of International Shipping Associations met in Athens last week to renew... Read more
AXSMarine invests in Nextvoyage
(Posted on 21/02/23)AXSMarine, a leading provider of SaaS shipping software and data for decision making in the chartering... Read more
