THE FACTS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF EXHAUST GAS CLEANING SYSTEMS

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A number of sensationalist and poorly researched mass media articles with grave factual errors have recently aimed at creating alarm about the use of exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), claiming that they dangerously pollute sea water.

The facts of the matter are quite different. Exhaust gas cleaning systems, also known as “scrubbers” are legal appliances that are in full accordance with all maritime regulations and that have to meet strict turbidity controls, both facts ignored by the press.

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Market-based mechanisms for effective Greenhouse Gas reduction

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On 1 January 2020 some might say that the marine sulphur journey is over, the issue dealt with. Let us move on to tackling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Instead it seems that ship-owners’ worst fears are materialising. The “level playing field” is at risk of distortion through lack of comprehensive and consistent enforcement of the 2020 Sulphur Cap. Many administrations have not processed their national legislation or completed inspection and enforcement training.

For ships that do comply, anecdotal evidence from ship’s officers highlights concern regarding fuel quality and in particular fuel stability. Many ships are only switching to compliant fuels a week before year end and have no experience with the new fuels. The market evidence, as indicated in reports from Argus Media, is that in mid-November 2019 less than 50% of HFO bunkerings were for LSFO. Time will tell if concerns regarding new fuels are justified or not. Not much comfort for a ship’s Master handling his or her ship through a winter North Atlantic force 10 gale.

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Report on CSA 2020 Technical Seminar – Brussels, 14 November 2019

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The Clean Shipping Alliance (CSA) 2020 held its 3rd technical workshop in Brussels last week and invited the EGCSA to participate. The technical part of day started with a joint session reviewing concerns and perceptions and discussed how the associations could work together to correct misinformation and a knowledge deficit with respect to EGCS amongst a surprising number of the public, press, commerce and regulators. In some meteorological conditions, a white plume can be seen from a funnel fitted with an operating EGCS. The plume is simply condensed water from the exhaust gases, like steam rising from a kettle but to the uninformed a visible plume is a worry and regarded as a potential risk. This and other concerns were discussed, and actions agreed in a very open and useful exchange of ideas.

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EGCSA Workshop – 2020 & Future Emissions Mitigation – London, 11-12 December 2019

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A two-day workshop held by the EGCSA from 11-12 December 2019 at The Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel will focus on topics ranging from very-low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) and the developments in the 2020 fuels market to the future of marine transport, the Greenhouse Gas Challenge and the harmonisation of wash water discharge requirements.

Guests speakers include Dr. Elizabeth Lindstad, chief scientist at SINTEF Ocean; Hédi Grati, consulting director at global information analyst IHS Markit; James Corbett, professor of marine policy at the University of Delaware; UCL Energy Institute’s Dr Tristan Smith (TBC), Sunil Krishnarkumar from the International Chamber of Shipping (TBC) and the founder of The Arlington Institute, leading futurist John L. Petersen, who will open the forum on 11 December with a presentation titled “Getting to 2027: Extraordinary Changes, An Emerging New World”.

The EGCSA workshops are recognised in the industry as offering an insight into the real story behind exhaust gas treatment technologies (EGCS) and their use in commercial shipping. At the same time, the events provide industry members with an informal forum to exchange information and ideas, as well as discuss key issues with experts.

The two-day event is open to a limited number of non EGCSA members for a nominal fee of £450. They are invited to attend the public sessions of the meeting, which run from 9.30 am on 11 December to 12 pm on 12 December, and the delegate dinner (self-pay) at the Swan Hotel in Staines for a relaxed evening of networking. A closed, private session for members on the afternoon of 12 December concludes the event.

To register, please contact the EGCSA at info@egcsa.com.