March 24, 2017
Study Project to Equip In-service Vessels with SOX Scrubber Systems Receives Class Notation of Classification Character
- Proactive Move toward Reduced Exhaust Emissions -
TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda) today announced the completion of a joint study project (Note 1) to equip in-service vessels with SOX scrubber systems (Note 2), in a move to reduce vessels' emissions of sulfur oxides ahead of stricter international environmental standards. The project received a class notation of classification character. MOL and four other companies – Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK; Chairman and President: Koichi Fujiwara; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), Minaminippon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (President: Ryutaro Ikebe; Headquarters: Usuki City, Oita Prefecture), Sanwa Dock Co., Ltd. (CEO: Isamu Teranishi; Headquarters: Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture), and Wärtsilä Japan Ltd. (Managing Director: Yoshihiko Onishi; Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo) – participated in the study.
The project targeted a total of nine vessels including the same-type sister ships and based on ClassNK's appraisal, received a class notation of classification character, Exhaust Gas Cleaning System Ready-Full (EGCSR-F), which certifies preparation for installation of SOX scrubber systems at the blueprint level. In addition, ClassNK is preparing a revised edition of the Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems, published in 2014, that will incorporate the results of the study.
As an initiative to address the SOX emissions issue in advance of a revised international treaty (Note 3) that places stronger restrictions on exhaust emissions from vessels, the project targeted car carriers, which structure makes it more technically challenging to add scrubber systems, compared to other types of vessels. It also focused on ships already in service, which are more difficult to equip with scrubbers than newbuilding vessels. It also used the latest technologies such as 3D scanning to promote operational efficiency in installation process.
MOL continues to promote "ISHIN NEXT - MOL SMART SHIP PROJECT -" and takes a proactive stance in development and introduction of technologies that will reduce the company's environmental impact, enhance operating safety, and ensure reliable transport services.
| (Note 1) | For details, please refer to the press release on June 6, 2016: MOL Launches Study to Equip In-service Vessels with SOX Scrubber System |
| (Note 2) | SOX Scrubber System The scrubbers eliminate sulfur dioxide (SOX) from exhaust gas, allowing vessels to meet international treaty standards for SOX emissions without using low-sulfur fuel. |
| (Note 3) | SOX emission regulations SOX emissions from vessels are addressed in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Treaty Annex VI (prevention of air pollution), and vessels are required to use bunker fuel with a sulfur content of 0.1% or less in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) such as North America. In general sea areas (all excluding ECAs), the treaty was determined at MEPC70 in October 2016 to reduce the maximum sulfur content of bunker in use from the current standard 3.5% to 0.5% in 2020. The regulation will be applied to vessels already in service. |
