In March 2014, Norwegian shipowner Solvang confirmed the option for another Wärtsilä open loop scrubber systems to be installed on board a VLGC.
This confirmation follows an order placed in late December 2013 for scrubber technology to be installed on two VLGCs. Solvang had already taken delivery of scrubber systems, which were installed on board the 'Clipper Quito' and 'Clipper Posh'. All the Solvang vessels were, or are being built, by HHI.
In addition to the newbuild projects Wärtsilä signed a contract in March with Solvang to retrofit a system on board the LPG carrier ‘Clipper Harald’. This installation is scheduled to be delivered in the summer of this year. This brings the total number of Solvang vessels to be fitted with Wärtsilä scrubber systems to six.
Two further Wärtsilä open loop scrubber systems are to be delivered on board a new VLGC being built at HHI for Dorian LPG of Greece. This contract was also signed in the third quarter of 2013.
"The acceptance of exhaust gas cleaning systems as a means of achieving compliance with environmental regulations is rapidly increasing. Wärtsilä is not only the leading supplier of such equipment, but is also able to provide all the technical and installation support needed. The co-operation between our companies is first class, and because of this we can provide the service that the industry demands," said Jae-Su Kim, HHI’s technical manager of initial design department of the shipbuilding division.
"Wärtsilä is committed to working with its customers to find the right environmental performance solution according to their specific operational profiles. We are also committed to working closely with the shipbuilding industry to develop the necessary installation expertise, and HHI has been very successful in developing its capabilities in this respect," said Sigurd Jenssen, director, exhaust gas cleaning, Wärtsilä Ship Power.
Wärtsilä was the first manufacturer to have been awarded the IMO certificate for exhaust gas cleaning systems by the classification societies Det Norske Veritas, Germanischer Lloyd and Bureau Veritas.
As of last month, Wärtsilä had 45 vessels contracted for a total of 94 exhaust gas cleaning systems for both newbuilding and retrofit projects.