Page 9 - Thome Group News Issue 45

GLOBAL SOX EMMISSION CAP 2020By Jamie Morgan Ramsamy, Technical Support and InnovationThe IMO’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC), at its 70th session in October concluded that the global fuel sulphur cap of 0.5%, shall enter into force in 2020.This new limit presents numerous challenges to the industryasawhole. Atpresent,thereisnotechnical solution that clearly satisfies all concerns. To comply with these future SOx emission limits, vessels will either need to install scrubbers, or use fuels complying with the sulphur cap - these options being distillate fuels, hybrid fuels or LNG fuel.As it stands, the switch to distillate fuels appears the most viable solution as many operators now have experience with running on 0.1% sulphur fuels as a result of the existing sulphur cap used in ECA areas and EU ports.However, the cost effectiveness of this option will depend heavily on the spread between the costs of HFO and distillate fuels and how they will vary in future.Hybrid fuels, on the other hand, are still relativelynew to the industry and pose numerous concerns about compatibility, fuel cost and availability, besides uncertainty and apprehensions about operational complications,even though they are understood to be useable on most engine configurations.LNG, besides naturally meeting the sulphur cap, also offers additional advantages through easier compliance with Tier 3 requirements set for NOx emissions under MARPOL Annex VI and improvement of EEDI and general environmental compliance.On the downside, extremely high investment costs and large space requirements for additional tanks and systems are to be expected to build the capabilities to use LNG fuel.Scrubbers present a similar problem with regards to initial cost and space, besides many other challenges such as restrictionsto discharge effluent water in some regional areas and relatively greater involvement of ship staff for operations and maintenance. It should be noted that the scrubber option allows operators to continue using conventional fuel, and HFO and does also reduce particulateemissionsinadditiontotheSOxreduction.Ship operators and owners will need to weigh the pros and cons of all available solutions, and decide on the most suitable option in consideration of factors like vessel’s type, age and specific trading requirements and patterns.It needs to be stressed that compliance with new SOx emission regulations should take priority in any ship operator’s strategic plan for the future.REGULATORY UPDATEDECEMBER 2016 | ISSUE 47 | 9