Green Light for HAL Scrubbing Deal
30/03/2007
Krystallon confirmed it has agreed to a $1.5 million deal with Holland America Line, to install pioneering air pollution reduction technology for the first time aboard a cruise ship.
The innovative seawater scrubber complete with continuous emissions monitoring, (CEM), designed to remove air pollutants from ship engine emissions, will be fitted onto one of the five diesel generators aboard the 61,396-grt/1432-passenger Zaandam next month during dry dock in Victoria, British Colombia.
According to BP, the use of this technology, developed in the UK by Krystallon, part of the BP Group, will significantly reduce emissions from the modified engine. Once operational, the Krystallon system will virtually eliminate sulfur dioxide (SOx), significantly reduce particulate matter and partially reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Don Gregory, Director, Environment and Sustainability at BP Marine, said "This is a major step for mercantile shipping. International legislation governing the reduction of emissions from shipping is tightening. Our technology has the potential to significantly and economically reduce emissions from seagoing vessels beyond what can be achieved by simple fuel switching, benefiting our coasts, port communities and the shipping industry.”
This first installation is intended to evaluate how well seawater scrubbing reduces air emissions on large oceangoing vessels. This technology demonstration project on the Zaandam may point towards significant, sustainable and cost-effective reductions in engine emissions from our ships.
“Demand from the cruise industry is not just for reducing sulphur emissions,” said Dan Grausz, senior vice president of fleet operations for Holland America Line. “The Krystallon scrubber can remove much of the particulate matter from engine exhaust, which means cruiseship funnel emissions will be much cleaner. This is another example of how Holland America Line takes seriously its environmental leadership role in the cruise industry.”
Following installation, the efficient reduction in SOx, NO, NO2 and CO2 emissions will be monitored and recorded in a secure data recording system along with other key information such as ship’s position, system status and engine power. Approximately 450 tons per hour of sea water will be used to reduce the engine emissions. This sea water will be treated prior to being released overboard and this technology demonstration project will monitor key components of the wash water to ensure that this part of the treatment system is also protective of the environment. This project is being overseen by a technical advisory committee composed of funding partners and environmental regulators from jurisdictions where the Zaandam will operate in 2007 and 2008. This group will be evaluating data from the project as it develops. A final report will be submitted by June 2008.
In the growing fight to reduce air emissions, the BP-HAL agreement is seen as a significant development, particularly amidst heightened regulatory and public interest in the potential impacts of ocean going vessel operations on the environment. The cost of fitting the BP technology aboard the Zaandam is being generously supported by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency; Environment Canada; the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency; B. C. Ministry of the Environment and the B. C. Clean Air Research Fund; the Ports of Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia; and a $300,000 contribution from BP.
"We are pleased to be working with Holland America Line, other funding partners and a Technical Advisory committee on the first large scale demonstration of this innovative seawater scrubber technology," said Dennis McLerran, executive director of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. "This technology promises to significantly - and economically - reduce emissions from cruise and other seagoing vessels, benefiting our coasts, and port communities."
For enquiries from the media, journalists and researchers only, the Krystallon Press Office can be contacted on 01782 751939/ 07769 901932 or e-mail: pshirley@theprfirm.co.uk