The Danish company Insatech A/S has developed the Smart Sulphur Switch S3 system (S3) that minimizes shipping companies’ additional costs as a result of the requirements stipulated in MARPOL Annex VI concerning sulphur emissions in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) in North America, the Caribbean, the Baltic, and the North Sea.
The S3 system distinguishes itself through its ability to always blend and adjust two fuels to the desired sulphur content. This enables monitoring and control of sulphur emissions. The system logs and reports nett fuel sulphur content, density, and the ship’s position and speed. By installing the S3 system, the shipping company will meet MARPOL’s requirements for observance as well as documentation of sulphur emissions. The shipping company’s additional costs are minimized since there is only a need for two types of fuel aboard. Irrespective of the ship’s destination, it is only necessary to carry a Marine Gas Oil (MGO), and a Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO). Outside ECAs the cheapest fuel can be burnt and when entering an ECA, the MGO and HFO blend can be adjusted in order to meet the allowed sulphur emission in the area.
The S3 will provide the shipping companies with significant savings by simplifying logistics regarding fuel handling, minimizing products needed aboard, reducing the number of bunker operations, and limiting consumption of the more expensive MGO. In addition, use of chemicals is avoided and construction costs and downtime during installation are minimized. The price for the S3 is less than 5% of the price of a Gas Scrubber, which is the solution shipping companies often choose in order to control sulphur emissions. S3 is easily retrofitted and the ship does not have to be docked in order to mount the system as it can be easily mounted while the ship is at sea. Maintenance is limited to one yearly calibration.
MARPOL Annex VI
The requirements stipulated in MARPOL Annex VI, limiting the maximum allowed sulphur emission to 1% m/m in ECAs in North America, the Caribbean, the Baltic, and the North Sea, came into force on 1 July, 2010. In 2015, these requirements will be further tightened as the maximum allowed sulphur emission will drop to 0.1% m/m. All vessels operating in ECAs are required to have a system that facilitates and documents that the emission limit is respected.
International patent pending and world premiere
S3 had its world premiere at the marine fair ‘Nor-Shipping’ held in Oslo, Norway June 4, 2013. Currently, Insatech awaits an answer to the international patent application for S3.
Insatech, June 26, 2013