Maersk Tankers announced that it has decided to invest in four scrubber systems to be installed on four LR2 vessels in the Maersk Product Tanker fleet before January 2020, in order to comply with the IMO’s sulphur regulation.
Specifically, the scrubbers will be installed on one existing LR2 vessel, as well as three LR2 newbuildings within the Maersk Product Tanker fleet. Maersk Tankers also commented that installing scrubbers on smaller-sized tanker vessels is not currently financially viable.
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We have carried out extensive analyses while also consulting with industry specialists and relevant regulatory bodies. Based on that, installing scrubbers on selected larger-sized product tanker vessels is assessed to be a financially viable solution while combining it with the use of compliant low-sulphur fuel on the majority of the fleet
Tommy Thomassen, Chief Technical Officer, Maersk Tankers, noted.
Maersk Tankers also stated that it is ready to handle scrubbers for the vessels that are operated in its commercial pools.
With the 2020 sulphur cap just months away, more shipping companies are leaning towards scrubbers. Namely, Hapag-Lloyd ordered ten scrubbers for ten vessels. The retrofits will start in March 2019. Furthermore, Eagle Bulk Shipping will purchase 15 more scrubbers for its fleet, as part of a series of agreements for the purchase of up to 37 scrubbers. Moreover, Quantum Pacific Shipping has secured a US$40m Green Loan from BNP Paribas, to finance the purchase and installation of scrubbers.
