Due to the recent entering into force of the new limits for marine fuels’ sulphur content, directive (EU) 2015/253 of 16th February 2015 laying down the rules concerning the sampling and reporting on the sulphur content of marine fuels, SOx emissions from ships need to be monitored.
The enforcement by member states will require monitoring of the emissions and information exchange between the responsible administrations.
To improve environmental surveillance capabilities, data from new sensors, in particular from RPAS, are to be incorporated to provide information to the states. EMSA will organise and provide, as an institutional service provider, pilot RPAS service operations in support of states focusing on marine pollution detection & monitoring and emissions monitoring.
However, this technology could also be used for other purposes in an emergency, if necessary or requested by states, the European Commission and other EU agencies.
Martek Marine’s contract is specifically for ship engine emission monitoring by RPAS.
This new requirement requires a drone to sample gases from a vessel’s emissions plume by using electro-optical, infra-red imaging, gas emission and AIS detection sensors.
The drones can be flown over 50 km from the ground station with instant and continuous video being streamed back to the ground station and member states. An on board gas analyser draws samples of air and monitors SOx, NOx and CO2 levels to determine possible breaches in EU law on the sulphur content of a ship’s fuel.
Development is also underway to incorporate satellite command, control and payload data streaming, so the RPAS can operate in what is known as BRLOS (beyond radio line of sight) over 100 km away.
In order to operate effectively in the harsh maritime environment, the RPAS can withstand storm force wind and heavy rain, snow and salt spray.
Paul Luen, Martek Group CEO, explained: “We've worked hard and invested big to pioneer the maritime application of drone technology in the last three years. This EMSA contract allows us to combine our original 'world first' of ship SO2/CO2/NOx monitoring, with our unique drone platform to deliver another world first. We're determined to 'change the world using drones' and this is the first of many applications, which we intend to pioneer.
“We have made a real commitment to drone technology and envisage them bringing huge benefits to maritime operations and this tender allowed us to marry this capability with our world leading emissions monitoring pedigree,” he said.