STENA BULK CHOOSES SCRUBBERS
To meet the new directives on sulphur emissions, fuel needs to be changed to low sulphur alternatives, such as liquefied natural gas or methanol. The alternative is to install an emissions purification system known as scrubbers.
Stena Bulk has decided to install turnkey scrubbers on 16 of their own ships belonging to Suezmax and IMOIIMAX fleets and has signed a contract for the installation of Chinese Shanghai Blue Soul Environment Technology. The scrubber to be installed is called an Open Loop Hybrid, and it’s equipped with water treatment, which not only removes sulphur but also particles from the exhaust gas.
“By installing scrubbers, we will be well equipped to meet the 2020 regulations and we don’t risk being impacted by price volatility and fuel shortages, which may arise with the use of low-sulphur fuels. The cost to install scrubbers is 3-4 million/vessel and also includes the 20-30 days that the ship is taken out of service for installation. The repayment period is also attractive relative to the market in theory and also appears to be so in practice although there are some parameters that remain uncertain. However, we have found that there are opportunities to lock in some of the uncertainty, which has attracted a more secure investment”, comments Erik Hånell, CEO of Stena Bulk.
| BACKGROUND | Beginning 1 January 2020, the IMO decided that the shipping sector should limit its sulphur emissions and reduce the percentage of sulphur in the fuel to 0.5%. This applies to the world's current and planned cargo vessels, regardless of size. The aim is to reduce shipping's share of the world's air pollution. The sulphur oxide that is formed when fuel is burned affects human health and leads to acidification. By reducing the sulphur content, emissions of sulphur dioxide is also reduced. |
| SCRUBBERS | Purification equipment installed onboard. The exhaust gases are scrubbed or washed with seawater before being released into the atmosphere. There are different types – dry scrubber, wet scrubber, open system and closed system. |
