Scrubber proves itself in US ECA

Upon its recent arrival in Baltimore, the Handymax bulk carrier Balder’s Master sought approval from the US Coast Guard to enter and exit the ECA zone using high sulphur HFO with EGCS, rather than burning the more expensive 1% sulphur fuel oil. Clean Marine invited USCG and the Environmental Protection Agency to observe the EGCS in operation for compliance with the ECA. USCG officials, led by Lt Cdr Edgardo Cruz (chief inspection division, sector Baltimore), conducted a Port State Control examination on 29 August in Baltimore and confirmed that the EGCS was operating satisfactorily and was in full compliance with MARPOL Annex VI.

Clean Marine CEO, Nils Høy-Petersen, stated: “Meeting the US Coast Guard’s stringent requirements proves that our unique and competitive multi-stream EGCS solution is a sound technology that enables vessels of all types to transit through a US ECA.”

The system onboard the Balder is an integrated, multi-stream system which cleans the exhaust from one main engine, three auxiliary engines and one boiler. As a hybrid system, it can operate in open- and closed-loop configurations. It is certified by DNV as being proven to reduce sulphur content of exhaust gas to below that found when burning fuel containing 0.1% sulphur, giving potential compliance with the 2015 sulphur emissions limits in Europe and North America. Clean Marine says it is the first company to approach the USCG and EPA for inspection and approval.