The installation of scrubbers is a major step in the introduction of exhaust gas cleaning technology for maritime applications. The W'rtsil' scrubber will enable the vessel to meet future emission requirements in Sulphur Emission Control Areas (SECA) in an economical way. W'rtsil' is the first manufacturer to have been awarded the IMO certificate by the classification societies Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd.

W'rtsil', the marine industry's leading ship power solutions provider, has signed a turnkey contract with Containerships Ltd Oy. The agreement covers the retrofitting of a W'rtsil' fresh water scrubber for the vessel Containerships VII, which is equipped with a W'rtsil' W7L64 main engine. This is W'rtsil''s first commercial marine scrubber project for a main engine. The scrubber will be delivered to the customer in August 2011. The conversion will enable the vessel to meet future sulphur oxides (SOx) emission requirements in Sulphur Emission Control Areas.

Scrubbing is an attractive means of meeting the increasingly stringent International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and EU regulations. Scrubbers efficiently reduce exhaust gas emissions such as sulphur oxides and particulates, and slightly also nitrogen oxides.

"The W'rtsil' fresh water scrubber technology will meet both environmental and commercial requirements for our operations. We see it as a clear advantage that W'rtsil', with its long experience in emissions abatement technology, delivers the scrubber solution," says Sigurjon Markusson, CEO, Containerships Ltd Oy.

W'rtsil''s extensive experience
W'rtsil' has extensive experience in developing and delivering scrubbers for stationary diesel power plants, and offers a wide range of solutions for emissions reduction. The W'rtsil' scrubber is a fully integrated design that aims to achieve optimal lifecycle efficiency, with outstanding performance and cost effective operation. The system complies with the new IMO guidelines for cleaning the exhaust emissions from all 2- and 4-stroke engines and oil-fired boilers.

W'rtsil' is the first manufacturer to have been awarded a marine scrubber certificate by the classification societies Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd. W'rtsil' aims to strengthen its position as a major supplier of scrubbers and other exhaust gas cleaning technology for maritime applications. The company seeks to support its customers in meeting the requirements being set by increasingly stringent environmental legislation.

W'rtsil' scrubber works in closed-loop system
The W'rtsil' scrubber works with fresh water in a closed-loop system in which sulphur oxides are neutralized with caustic soda. A small amount of scrubbing water is extracted to remove contaminants in a treatment unit onboard, thereby fulfilling all the quality and monitoring requirements stipulated by the IMO. In so-called zero discharge mode, the clean effluents are led to a holding tank for scheduled and periodical discharge. Contaminants are always disposed of at reception facilities in port.