The development of Exhaust Gas Scrubbertechnology for SOx emissions control has advanced to the point that it is nowpossible to quickly ramp up production volumes to meet the increasing demand inthe marine market as regulations become more stringent. Wärtsilä and Metso, twoFinnish engineering groups, have extensive experience of scrubber technology inland-based installation. In December 2010 Wärtsilä received its firstcommercial scrubber order for a marine application, the company said in astatement.
Wärtsilä Corporation, the global leader incomplete power lifecycle solutions and services, and Metso Corporation havesigned an agreement to co-operate in developing and delivering scrubber systemsfor marine applications. Under the terms of this agreement, Metso is to supplythe scrubber unit, while Wärtsilä is responsible for world-wide sales andintegration of complete, certified, documented marine scrubber systems,including automation, water treatment, and ancillaries. Both Wärtsilä and Metsohave extensive experience in the use of scrubber technology for land-basedinstallations.
Wärtsilä and Metso have already for anumber of years worked together in the development of scrubber technology. In2005 the two companies, together with other companies within the Finnishmaritime cluster, embarked on a programme to develop a feasible marinescrubber.
By autumn 2007, the project had reached thestage of being ready for a test installation. A tanker, the MT 'Suula', ownedby the Neste Shipping division of the Finnish company, Neste Oil Oyj, was madeavailable and the project-testing phase began in November 2008. During the testperiod, which was completed in mid-2010, the 'Suula' operated primarily in theBaltic Sea but also visited many North Sea harbours. The sulphur removalefficiency was proven to be excellent and well within the InternationalMaritime Organization's (IMO) most stringent limits. Furthermore, the dischargewater was also proven to be well in compliance with IMO Washwater Guidelines.
This extensive development programme, fromthe establishment of the project group in 2005 until finalisation of the pilottests on board a working tanker in 2010, culminated in the Wärtsilä SOxscrubber becoming the first such unit to be certified for marine applications.The classification societies Det Norske Veritas, Germanisher Lloyd and BureauVeritas have granted the Wärtsilä unit a SOx Emissions Compliance Certificate.
In December 2010, Wärtsilä received its firstcommercial order for a scrubber for a marine application. Containerships LtdOy, a Finnish shipping customer, placed a contract for a turnkey installationonboard its vessel, 'Containerships VII', a ship equipped with a Wärtsilä W7L64main engine. The scope of the order includes a Wärtsilä fresh water scrubber.The scrubber will be delivered to the customer in August 2011.
The more stringent IMO sulphur regulations,which require strict sulphur oxides control, are due to enter into force inJanuary 2015 and will apply to Sulphur Emissions Control Areas (SECAs). Withthis in mind, a rapid ramp-up and development of the scrubber market isforeseen. Following the systematic development of this technology, itssuccessful validation, and the agreement between Wärtsilä and Metso, Wärtsiläis committed and ready to fulfil the needs of the shipping industry regardingscrubber technology. The units can be delivered both for new ships, and as aretrofit for ships already in service.
Services is one of the three Wärtsilä'sbusinesses alongside Ship Power and Power Plants. Headquartered in Helsinki,Finland, Wärtsilä Corporation operates the most extensive service network inthe industry. Wärtsilä offers a range of services to both the global marine andenergy markets. The company's extensive services portfolio includes spare partsand field services, servicing of engines, propulsion systems, electrical andautomation systems, as well as boilers.
It also covers environmental servicesand solutions, upgrades and conversions, as well as long-term agreements forengine and propulsion systems and training services. Wärtsilä's servicebusiness is also a leader in the development of new service concepts to meetcustomers' needs in attaining optimal operational efficiency. Wärtsilä Serviceshas some 70 fully owned workshops and employs more than 11,000 serviceprofessionals.
