IMO to host symposium on alternative fuels

TO assure the strict implementation of alternative fuels to decarbonize the shipping industry and to know the stakeholders’ perspectives on alternative fuels, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is set to spearhead the IMO Sulphur 2020 and Alternative Symposium in London, United Kingdom on October 17 and 18, 2019.

More so, part of the symposium is the discussion of the use of scrubbers or Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) which are used to remove particulate matter and harmful components, such as sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the exhaust gasses generated as a result of combustion processes in marine engines, to implement pollution control.

These scrubbing systems have been developed and employed to treat exhaust from engines, auxiliary engines and boilers, onshore and on-board marine vessels, to ensure that no damage is done to human life and the environment by toxic chemicals.

Sulfur emissions to the atmosphere by sea- going vessels are limited by new and updated international regulations, which will come into effect starting 01 January 2020 under the Maritime Pollution Treaty.

IMO explained that all types of scrubbers allowed under IMO rules, so long as they achieve the same level of emissions reduction.

“Regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI allows for Administrations (flag States) to approve “equivalents” - any “fitting, material, appliance or apparatus to be fitted in a ship or other procedures, alternative fuel oils, or compliance methods used as an alternative to that required” - that enables the same standards of emission control to be met.

The world maritime regulator stressed that for reduction of sulfur oxide emissions, some flag States have accepted and approved scrubbers - otherwise known as “Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems”, as meeting the requirements for sulfur oxide reduction.

It furthered that there is an important requirement in the same regulation on Equivalents, which says that in paragraph 4 “The Administration of a Party that allows the use of an equivalent, shall endeavor not to impair or damage its environment, human health, property, or resources, or those of other States”.

“IMO has adopted strict criteria for discharge of wash water from EGCS. Any residues, where generated by the EGC unit usually in a closed-loop configuration, should be delivered ashore to adequate reception facilities. Such residues should not be discharged to the sea or incinerated on board,” according to its statement.

They also noted “open-loop scrubbers add water to the exhaust gas which turns sulfur oxides (SOx) to sulfates/sulfuric acid. Open-loop scrubbers return wash water to the sea. The wash water must meet strict criteria, so that discharge wash water should have a pH of no less than 6.5. There are also strict limits on discharge of PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) and nitrates.”