scrubber retrofit engineering services are seeing considerable increase in interest in their offerings.
Wärtsilä offers shipowners and operators both ultraviolet (UV) and electrochlorination (EC) technology to meet the specific operational and economic requirements of their fleet, the company said.
The medium pressure UV treatment solution is mainly suited for vessels with small to medium pump capacities and uses ultraviolet light to ensure discharge compliance. The side stream EC system is used for vessels with larger pump capacities and generates naturally degradable sodium hypochlorite from the sea water to disinfect ballast discharge and ensure both ballast and MARPOL compliance.
Both systems share a proven two-stage filtration process with a standard backwash filter system to remove particulates and sediments before treatment. Both Wärtsilä Aquarius technologies are IMO approved, US Coast Guard (USCG) alternate management system (AMS) accepted, and both are currently undergoing full USCG and ballast discharge regulation (Revised G8). EC USCG type approval is expected to be in place during the second half in 2018, and the UV type approval in the last quarter of 2018.
Wärtsilä’s market analysis shows that as more than 26,000 ships above 400 gt prepare to comply with the new environmental legislation, the demand for BWMS retrofit projects and engineering services is likely to peak between 2020 and 2024. Furthermore, the BWMS newbuild demand adds to this work. In addition to IMO’s Convention entering into force, the US Coast Guard’s regulation on vessel discharges is expected to boost the BWMS market.
“From our experience the timeline for retrofit project completion requires a minimum of six to eight months. Therefore, the shipowners and operators could face supply issues without scheduling and planning their BWMS installations well in advance of drydocking and compliance dates. In partnering with our customers to provide a wide range of support from BWMS technology to hands-on maintenance service, we aim to increase operational reliability,” said Markus Ljungkvist, general manager, project sales, Wärtsilä Services.
In addition to technology alternatives, Wärtsilä’s offering can deliver retrofit projects extending from equipment to full EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) deliveries. Wärtsilä’s scope of retrofitting BWMS can include, for instance, the equipment, feasibility studies, in-house engineering expertise, installation, advisory and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) lifecycle support.
“A single solution provider adds to the efficiency of retrofit projects and minimises the risks and time needed for retrofitting BWMS, thus optimising operations and enabling growth for our customers. It also provides ship owners and operators with cost predictability,” Ljungkvist said.