Damen adds scrubbers to “one stop shop” solutions

Damen Ship Repair Rotterdam

AUGUST 23, 2016 — Damen Shipyards Group has signed a sales agreement with Eindhoven, Netherlands, headquartered exhaust gas scrubber producer AEC Maritime.

Damen will now be able to offer shipowners access to AEC’s efficient, low maintenance and IMO-certified exhaust gas scrubber technologies.

Damen says that by adding scrubber expertise to its existing knowledge of ballast water treatment systems, it has added an important strength to its strategy of providing shipowners with a total solution for meeting the latest IMO requirements.

AEC Maritime’s sister company AEC Systems air cleaning products for various land-based industries have been developed in close cooperation with the VDL-Group. With more than 20 years’ experience, AEC Systems has installed more than 2,600 land-based scrubber systems.

“Our scrubber systems focus on three strong principles,” says AEC Maritime Chief Technical Officer Marcel Clephas. “To make scrubber installation simple, to optimize the price of the product with the cost of installation, and, finally, to deliver reliable and low maintenance systems.”

AEC’s scrubbers allow shipowners considerable flexibility. They can be installed on all types of engine, allowing vessels to run on Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) instead of the more expensive Marine Gas Oil (MGO).

In terms of efficiency, the company’s scrubbers remove more than 98% of sulfur from exhaust gases; thus exceeding IMO requirements. The systems also comply with (MEPC 58 and 59).

Although numerous AEC Maritime scrubber systems have been installed and are currently in operation for various clients in the shipping industry, a limiting factor for the company has been that it lacked a maritime background.

“We knew that shipowners will always need to go to a shipyard for a retrofit,” says Mr. Clephas. “But we discovered that clients want turnkey solutions – that include all aspects of the retrofit – to be carried out under one roof.”

AEC Maritime’s response was to look for a suitable maritime partner capable of offering that scope.

“We are happy to have found that partner in Damen. This is an important time for the scrubber sector: in fact, the market is now,” says Mr. Clephas.

Damen Director Green Solutions Marcel Karsijns says that the agreement with AEC Maritime will allow all activities – on-board visits, 3D-scanning, engineering, piping, project management and installation – to be executed under one roof and also details AEC’s involvement in after sales service and maintenance contracts.

“AEC Maritime’s products are fabricated with excellent materials – and they have a proven track record with numerous clients. Furthermore, their scrubbers are IMO-certified,” says Mr. Karsins. “Combined with Damen Shiprepair & Conversion’s wealth of experience with retrofit activities – executed not only at competitive costs but with short lead times – this recognised product further strengthens Damen’s ‘one-stop-shop’ philosophy for clients looking for comprehensive solutions.”