The Singapore flag state authorities have approved Wärtsilä’s exhaust gas cleaning (EGC) systems, making it the first EGC to be approved by an Asian flag authority. The approvals relate to Wärtsilä EGC systems ordered for two new RoRo vessels owned by a Japanese shipowner and currently being operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, the privately owned Swedish/Norwegian shipping company. The ships entered into service this year.
The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marpol Annex VI regulations are aimed at reducing air pollution levels from ships by reducing the sulphur oxide (SOx) content of the vessel’s engine emissions. The limits came into effect for ships operating inside Emission Control Areas with effect from January 2015. A global cap becomes effective from 1 January 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018.
Under the regulations, compliance methods such as EGC systems can be approved. However, all systems need approval from the class and flag state of the vessel before they can be operated, and until now the majority of systems installed have been on European flagged vessels. The approval of Wärtsilä’s EGC system by Singapore makes it applicable to Asian flag states.
The two new ships, the ‘Theben’ and the ‘Themis’, are the fourth and fifth vessels being operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen to have Wärtsilä EGC systems installed. The vessels are almost 200 metres long, 36.5 metres wide, and feature five liftable car decks, allowing for multiple configurations and a wide variety of customer cargo. The vessels can transport up to 8000 car equivalent units.
Wärtsilä exhaust gas cleaning technology represents an economical and environmentally friendly solution that meets the highest standards of emission compliance. Wärtsilä’s SOx scrubber system solutions are suitable for both newbuildings and the retrofitting of existing vessels having either 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines, and are designed to provide flexibility and reliable operations.
Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in advanced technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers.
In 2015, Wärtsilä's net sales totalled EUR 5 billion with approximately 18,800 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 70 countries around the world.