Wärtsilä Hamworthy announces RCL scrubber deal
Exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) manufacturer Wärtsilä Hamworthy announced Wednesday it is to supply four hybrid scrubber systems for two new-build Royal Caribbean 'Sunshine' class vessels, Ship & Bunker reports.
The agreement was made with German shipbuilder Meyer Weft who are currently constructing the cruise ships for Miami-based Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL) [NYSE:RCL] subsidiary Royal Caribbean International.
The hybrid nature of the scrubber refers to the ability to switch between open-loop and closed-loop scrubbing.
At sea, open-loop scrubbing using only sea water can be enabled, while when the vessel is maneuvering or in port, the system can be closed, re-circulating the water already within the scrubber.
According to the press release, the scrubbers will enable the ships to travel anywhere in the world as the scrubbers will ensure compliance for the 2015 Emission Control Area (ECA) 0.1% sulfur limit, as well as the worldwide 0.5% limit from 2020, and the impending North American Emissions Control Area (ECA), by removing sulfur emissions and particulates from the vessel's exhaust.
Sigurd Jenssen, Director, Exhaust Gas Cleaning, Wärtsilä Environmental Solutions commented: "These orders from a world-leading cruise line further validates scrubbing technology as a credible, efficient and cost effective way of achieving ECA compliance. This order is clearly a considerable recognition of Wärtsilä Hamworthy's ability to help organisations to meet that challenge."
The first of the two vessels was ordered in 2011 and is due for delivery in the fall of 2014, with the option to build a second vessel exercised in February 2012 and expected in spring 2015.
Royal Caribbean say the two Sunshine class vessels will be 158,000 gross registered tonnes and accommodate 4,100 guests, making them smaller than the most recent fleet arrivals Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, which can accommodate over 6,000 passengers.