Finnish Wärtsilä announced that it is introducing its Voyage Emissions Reduction (VER) system as a means for increasing oil tanker revenues, while also aiding the environment through reduced emissions. The system aims to solve the problem of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from tankers during laden voyages.
VOC’s are organic chemicals with a high vapour pressure resulting from their low boiling point, which leads to extensive evaporation. On average, an oil tanker emits 0.085 percent of its contained cargo per each week. For a 320,000 DWT Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), this amounts to 270 tons of lost cargo per week.
The VER system will become available in two versions. The first is the ‘reabsorption’ version, which is a simple to install, ‘plug-in’ system that re-circulates the VOC back to the cargo tanks. Its goal is to eliminate cargo losses, and operates automatically, without manual intervention.
The second one is the ‘fuel’ version, which utilises the VOC as fuel for the vessel. This is patent will have the ability to result in fuel cost saving advantages.
Both versions promote environmental sustainability by reducing VOC emissions by up to 75 percent, the company said.
“Wärtsilä is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that reduce operating costs for owners, while at the same time contributing to a cleaner environment. The VER system follows this philosophy by eliminating cargo waste and optimally lowering tanker fuel costs, thus enabling a payback time that can be less than one year,” mentions Timo Koponen, Vice President, Flow and Gas Solutions, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.
The Wärtsilä VER system complies with the regulation 15 requirements of the IMO’s MARPOL Annex VI protocol.
It also meets port specific requirements for terminals with regards to VOC emission reductions.
The Wärtsilä VER system will be launched at the Marintec conference and exhibition in Shanghai from December 5 to 8, 2017.
