Algoma Central newbuilds to have Wärtsilä integrated scrubbers

Written by Nick Blenkey

algomalogoWärtsilä is to supply fresh water integrated scrubbers for a series of six vessels, with an option for a further two, being built for Canadian shipowner, Algoma Central Corporation by Chinese shipbuilder Nantong Minde Heavy Industrial (see earlier story).

The integrated scrubbers are designed to clean the exhaust gases of the vessels’ main and auxiliary engines as well as the oil-fired boiler, thus enabling them to comply with current and forthcoming environmental regulations.

The order for the scrubbers is the last in a series of supply contracts awarded Wärtsilä for these vessels. The complete solution provided by Wärtsilä also includes engineering support, highly fuel efficient engines, propulsion machinery and a bilge water system. All equipment solution will be supplied in co-operation with the  Wärtsilä ‘s global licensee and joint-venture partners.

The full propulsion system with integrated fresh water scrubber lowers operating costs while reducing the vessel’s environmental footprint by allowing owners to use high sulfur fuels in Emission Control Area (ECA) Zones and meet sulfur emissions restrictions.

The Agoma order is the first for the new integrated Wärtsilä scrubber concept. Once in operation, the vessels will set new standards for environmentally sustainable shipping on the Great Lakes and for cargo vessels in general.

Wärtsilä combines the parts of the complete solution in an optimised way, which will result in savings for the owner and a significantly reduced environmental footprint. In addition, the scrubber will be the first integrated scrubber to be supplied by Wärtsilä.

The Wärtsilä Oily Water Separator is the first bilge water separator unit approved without a filter.

Setting new environmentally sustainable standards

An integrated scrubber saves space and weight, preserving the vessel’s cargo deadweight capacity. 

The new “Equinox Class” ships, ordered by Algoma Central Corporation, are to be built in China at the Nantong Mingde Heavy Industrial Stock Company shipyard. They will feature extremely high environmental sustainability on their future work area on North America’s Great Lakes. The first vessel is scheduled to be delivered during the first half of 2013.

“These are truly important vessels as they will set new standards for environmentally sustainable shipping on the Great Lakes and for cargo vessels in general. The scrubbers will allow the customer to operate these vessels using less costly high sulfur fuel, yet still achieve the 0.1 per cent sulfur emissions standard set by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for North American Emission Control Areas (ECAs). The Wärtsilä integrated scrubber solution removes more than 97 percent of sulfur oxide emissions,” says Juhani Hupli, Vice President, Ship Power Technology at Wärtsilä Ship Power.

“In addition to the environmental stipulations, another key focus for Algoma Central Corporation in renewing its fleet of older vessels has been to reduce the cost of maintenance. Wärtsilä’s capability in providing both an integrated equipment package and global service support was, therefore, a major reason in the company being selected by Algoma,” says Al Vanagas, Senior Vice President Technical, Algoma Central Corporation.

“The newly designed vessels are environmentally sustainable because they feature an efficient hull design, an optimised controllable pitch propeller, and the choice of Wärtsilä technology as a total integrated solution package, which together will give the best possible speed with minimised fuel consumption and extremely low emissions,” says Lars Anderson, Vice President, Merchant, Wärtsilä Ship Power.

The Wärtsilä Fresh Water Integrated Scrubber

The Wärtsilä scrubber concept works with fresh water in a closed-loop system in which sulfur oxides are neutralized with caustic soda. A small amount of scrubbing water is extracted to remove contaminants in a treatment unit onboard, thereby meeting all the quality and monitoring requirements stipulated by the IMO. In so-called zero discharge mode, the clean effluents are led to a holding tank for scheduled and periodical discharge. Contaminants are always disposed of at reception facilities in port.

One major advantage of fresh water scrubbers is the possibility to operate in zero discharge mode, which means that no water is spilled to lake water when sailing in delicate waters. Moreover, in this specific installation water from the Great Lakes will be used, with less or no need at all for producing fresh water onboard the vessel.

The Wärtsilä integrated scrubber system comprises numerous components, which are then combined and arranged to clean the exhaust gases of several diesel engines and oil-fired boilers onboard. The system is suitable for all ship types.

Wärtsilä is the first manufacturer to have been awarded a marine scrubber certificate by the classification societies Det Norske Veritas, Germanischer Lloyd and Bureau Veritas. Wärtsilä aims to strengthen its position as a major supplier of scrubbers and other exhaust gas cleaning technology for maritime applications. The company seeks to support its customers in meeting the requirements being set by increasingly stringent environmental legislation.

Scope of supply:
1 x Wärtsilä 5-cylinder RT-flex50, version D
3 x 6-cylinder Wärtsilä Auxpac 20 generating set
Controllable Pitch Propeller & Shaft line Wärtsilä 4D1415
Tunnel Thrusters CT200
Wärtsilä Oily Water Separators (OWS 500)
Wärtsilä Fresh Water Integrated Scrubber solution

January 25, 2012

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