The 0.5% sulphur cap currently scheduled for implementation in 2020 is fast approaching. The global reduction is targeted at “significantly reduc[ing] the amount of sulphur oxides emanating from ships and should have major health and environmental benefits for the world, particularly for populations living close to ports and coasts,” according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO – Sulphur 2020 – cutting sulphur oxide emissions). Regulations to reduce or limit the sulphur emissions from deep sea vessels has been in force since 2005 under the 1st MARPOL convention. Ship owners have multiple options available in order to comply with these new regulations including the following (DNVGL – Global Sulphur Cap 2020 – extended and updated)

1. “Switching from high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) to marine gas oil (MGO) or distillates”
2. “Using very-low-sulphur fuel oil or compliant fuel blends (0.50% sulphur)”
3. “Retrofitting vessels to use alternative fuels such as LNG or other sulphur-free fuels”
4. “Installing exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers), which allows operation on regular HSFO”

The Vancouver division of Subsea Global Solutions stopped by our office in late March to discuss general industry information and offered a local solution to the 4th option listed above. As per the Subsea Global Solutions Chronicles – March 2019: “Subsea Global Solutions (SGS), working together with several scrubber manufacturers, has been at the forefront of scrubber system installation in cruise vessels since 2014. The underwater ship repair expertise of SGS makes installation of complete scrubber systems possible without taking the vessel out of the water, avoiding any interruption to the vessel’s scheduled itinerary … SGS involvement ranges from the installation of the sea chests, installing overboard discharge pipes, cutting hull openings for the sea chests, and installing gratings. While SGS mainly provides support from the water side, we have also been involved with welding projects related to scrubber system installation on the inside of vessels as well. Sea chest design varies from conventional box designs to innovative pipe designs with diameters in excess of 1000 mm. Since 2014, SGS has been involved with the successful installation of more than 20 scrubber systems on cruise vessels.”

For further details visit – www.subseasolutions.com/news.php