North European liner shipping company Finnlines has selected Wärtsilä to equip its Baltic and North Sea fleet of roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels with new scrubber systems, in a bid to reduce environmental impact.
As per the latest order, Wärtsilä will install its exhaust gas cleaning system on each of the six vessels, with the two main engines on each vessel being connected to a single integrated scrubber system.
Additional work on the order includes both concept design and basic design engineering services as needed for plan approval by Class and Flag notations, as well as providing technical advice support to Finnlines during the installation phase.
With the installation of Wärtsilä open loop scrubber systems, Finnlines’ vessels will now be able to operate in compliance with new environmental legislation, including the water discharge criteria set by regulators, while continuing to run on heavy fuel oil.
Finnlines president and CEO Emanuele Grimaldi said: “Environmental compliance and cost-efficient operations are key factors in the success of Finnlines. The installation of Wärtsilä scrubber systems on our recent series of six modern Ro-Ro vessels is a major step in the implementation of our strategy.”
The scrubber systems use seawater to remove the sulphur oxide (SOx) from the vessel’s exhaust, thereby eliminating the need for additional chemicals.
Wärtsilä Environmental Solutions vice-president Juha Kytölä added: “The new SOx emission regulations will notably reduce the marine industry’s environmental impact on the Baltic and the North Sea (including English Channel).”
“The Wärtsilä exhaust gas cleaning systems represent a very viable retrofit option that enables owners and operators to comply with this legislation.”
Delivery of the Wärtsilä equipment will be carried out during November and December of this year.
The new, stringent SOx emission regulations are planned to be enforced from January 2015.
Around 100 of Wärtsilä’s scrubber systems have been installed or are on order for 51 vessels to date.
Image: Wärtsilä scrubber systems are selected for six modern Ro-Ro vessels of Finnlines. Photo: courtesy of Wärtsilä.
