EGCSA launches global database to eliminate uncertainty around the operation of exhaust gas cleaning systems

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STAINES, 28 June 2019 – With just six months until the entry into force of a global marine fuel sulphur cap of 0.50%, the number of ships fitted with exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) by 1 January 2020 is set to be around 4,000. The EGCSA has today launched a free to access global database concerning operating rules for EGCS at www.egcsa.com for those ship-owners who have invested in achieving a cleaner environment with the help of EGCS. Consultants to IMO, CE Delft, had forecast some 3,000 ships would be fitted with EGCS by 2020. This investment in exhaust gas cleaning systems by a substantial portion of ship-owners will also benefit those ship-owners who have chosen to do nothing and plan just to procure fuel that complies with IMO limits. The significant number of ship-owners who have opted for EGCS will alleviate some of the pressure on 0.50% sulphur fuel supplies as they are likely to reduce global demand by approximately 18%.

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STATEMENT BY THE EGCSA CONCERNING THE ANNOUNCED BAN ON OPEN LOOP MARINE SCRUBBER DISCHARGE BY THE SINGAPORE MPA

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STAINES, 4 December 2018 – The IMO legislated to introduce a 0.5 % sulphur cap for all shipping vessels from 2020 with the aim of protecting human health and the marine environment from noxious sulphur dioxide emissions. The shipping industry is reacting responsibly by fitting vessels with exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS), so-called marine scrubbers, or by switching to low sulphur fuel.

The recent announcement by the outgoing CEO of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) banning the discharge of process water from open loop scrubbers for vessels visiting Singapore came without prior notice or discussion with the IMO despite the fact that the Singapore MPA is a signatory to MARPOL Annex VI. The MPA provided neither scientific evidence for its decision nor was the industry invited to consultation. If there had been discussion, the Singapore MPA might have realised the high risks to human health resulting from the high toxicity of low sulphur fuels and more toxic distillates if no exhaust gas cleaning systems are used. The many dumbbell low sulphur fuels (0.50%S fuel oils) are also expected to have less complete combustion as the fuel boiling point distribution and that this will also contribute to higher particulate matter discharge and poorer air quality in Singapore.

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PAH monitoring – strengthening compliance assurance

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The IMO Pollution Prevention and Response sub-committee (PPR) has set up a correspondence group to provide guidance in the event of accidental breakdown, instrumentation malfunction or perceived non-compliance of exhaust gas cleaning systems. Part of the group’s brief is to clarify some of the language used in the scrubber guidelines (MEPC.258(68)) including the term PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) monitoring.

So, what are PAH and why are PAH monitored? Well, quite simply these are a group of compounds found in oil that can be measured in water at parts per billion concentrations. This enables monitoring of the extremely low levels of oil in scrubber wash water, which is well beyond the measurement capability of traditional instruments associated with 15ppm or even 5ppm bilge water separators.

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An inconvenient truth – how the shipping industry’s environmental footprint can be improved.

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Time for facts

Season’s greetings from EGCSA!

Looking forward there are now just 24 months until the global 0.50% fuel sulphur limit comes into force and over a year has passed since the industry-changing decision by IMO. Looking back, will 2017 be remembered as the year of fake news? Certainly the term has entered the common language, perhaps more so than the phrase “alternative facts”. The terms are common descriptions of news or information that do not meet the readers’ pre-conceptions.

But why is this relevant to EGCSA?

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