The Clean Shipping Alliance (CSA) 2020 is advising those shipowners looking to install scrubbers in order to meet global sulphur cap requirements, to make sure that manufacturers, shipyards and installers are using quality, high-end materials.
Based on the experience gained from more than 1500 scrubber installations, CSA 2020 members discovered that the quality of materials and coatings used is the most important factor in enhancing scrubbers’ safety and preventing any corrosion problems during operation.
There are always some challenges involved when specifying ships’ machinery systems and scrubbers are no different. Risks can be mitigated, however, by investing in quality materials, established suppliers and experienced installers, and by optimising machinery space layouts.
explains Arne Hubregtse, Executive Board Member, Spliethoff.
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In addition, Roger Strevens, Vice President, Global Sustainability, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, highlighted that while scrubber failure is not impossible, the company believes it has minimised such a risk, by being very judicious in how it specifies the systems and through being particular in who it is getting them from.
What is more, Mike Kaczmarek, CSA 2020’s Chairman, noted that scrubbers are designed for world-wide operations and normally meet or exceed the specification. However, there are a few things to be aware. For this reason, he recommends that the upper bellows above the scrubber tower are replaced with a design using upgraded alloys during the installation process. This can help prevent any subsequent corrosion.
By confirming the operational performance of our members’ EGCS installations, we hope to allay any concerns relating to system failure or corrosion. The technology, the materials used, and the experienced gained from those first installations means that any corrosion issues can now be readily resolved
added CSA 2020 Executive Director Ian Adams.
