“Scrubbers are our preferred choice to meet the new emission regulations in ECAs and to meet the IMO-announced global cap for SOx in 2020/2025. After a thorough evaluation, we selected Wärtsilä to be our preferred scrubber supplier for the pilot retrofit installation on our Ro-Ro vessel, the MV Tarago in 2013, which was a success. This cooperation continued with four more Wärtsilä scrubbers on our recent newbuilding ships, built in Korea. Since our fleet now voluntarily operates on MGO in ports worldwide, we see scrubbers as an even more environmental friendly solution because they also reduce particle emissions when operating in ports around the world.”

Wilhelmsen’s Senior Project Manager, Thamba Rajeevan

The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marpol Annex VI regulations are aimed at reducing air pollution levels from ships by reducing the sulphur oxide (SOx) content of the vessel’s engine emissions. The limits came into effect for ships operating inside Emission Control Areas with effect from January 2015. A global cap becomes effective from 1 January 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018.

Wärtsilä exhaust gas cleaning technology represents an economical and environmentally friendly solution that meets the highest standards of emission compliance. Wärtsilä’s SOx scrubber system solutions are suitable for both newbuildings and the retrofitting of existing vessels having either 2-stroke or 4-stroke engines, and are designed to provide flexibility and reliable operations.