The Motorship Propulsion & Future Fuels 2018 conference was launched on November 14, focusing on fuels and propulsion technologies. The conference highlighted what needs to be done in order to meet the 2020 global sulphur cap goals, as well as IMO’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
Danaos published its third quarter and nine months results, in which it announces that until now it has pledged to install scrubbers on six vessels. Two of these ships are owned by Danaos’s joint venture Gemini Shipholdings Corporation. Danaos is also in discussions to install scrubbers on five more vessels.
Ahead of the 2020 sulphur cap, Transparency International said that the IMO should give the new working group a remit that allows it to effectively increase public scrutiny and civil society participation. The NGO is also worried that some of the Member States could obstruct IMO’s reform.
MPC Container Ships signed agreements for the purchase of five scrubbers. They will be retrofitted on five vessels within the company’s fleet before 1 January 2020, which is the implementation date of the new sulphur emission cap regulation. The agreement also includes the purchase of scrubbers for up to 50 more vessels.
The Hong Kong Legislative Council has recently approved the Air Pollution Control (Fuel for Vessels) Regulation, extending the 0.5% sulphur limit standard from ships berthed at port to ships generally operating in Hong Kong waters. From 1st January 2019, all vessels are required to use compliant fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.5% or use scrubbers when within Hong Kong waters.
In light of MEPC 73 and its discussions regarding reducing shipping emissions, Greenpeace focused on another issue. The organization said that ships must reduce their speed, which could provide many benefits in the long term. Namely, lower speeds could lead to less CO2, among others.
The danish shipping company TORM established a joint venture with scrubber manufacturer ME Production and Guangzhou Shipyard International, to manufacture scrubbers to reduce sulphur emissions in respect of the IMO 2020 limit. TORM will hold an ownership stake of 27.5% in the new joint venture.
Saras will construct new bunkering terminal at its plant in Sardinia in order to market a cleaner marine fuel with even lower sulphur content which will be compliant with the IMO 2020 global sulphur limit. The Italian energy provider is investing in infrastructure that will allow ships to dock outside its 300,000-barrels-per-day Sarroch refinery in Sardinia to directly load ultra-low-sulphur marine fuel oil.
Lately the shipping industry has reached a wide consensus that it must decarbonize the sector. Especially ahead of the 2020 sulphur cap, the industry is trying to improve its environmental footprint. In this attempt, several companies are considering wind propulsion technology solutions.
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Dr. Dakuku Peterside informed that NIMASA will strictly implement the IMO 2020 sulphur cap. Mr. Peterside also mentioned that all vessels that are sailing in Nigeria’s waters are only allowed to use fuel that is environmental friendly.
