EGCS SYTEMS

Since January 1, 2015, special sulfur emission control areas (SECAs) have been established in heavily trafficked maritime routes such as the North Sea. These regulations limit ocean-going vessels to a maximum sulfur oxide emission of 0.10%. Additionally, a global of 0.50% has been in effect since January 1, 2020. To comply with these standards, shipowners have two main options: they can switch to low-sulfur fuels or utilize Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS). These systems effectively wash sulfur and particulate matter from exhaust gases, reducing sulfur oxides and minimizing particulate emissions into the atmosphere.

For many shipowners, investing in EGCS was the most practical solution to meet the sulfur standards. Governments encouraged this choice through subsidies, as there was limited knowledge about low-sulfur fuels, particularly regarding their impact on ship engines and their availability.

The use of EGCS generates wash water, and its management varies depending on the type of system used. There are three types of EGCS: open, closed, and hybrid systems. In an open system, the treated wash water is discharged back into the sea after being processed onboard. The International Maritime Organization has established requirements for various parameters of the wash water. The current onboard treatments of the water ensure that it no longer poses a significant risk to the marine environment.

In a closed system, contaminants from the wash water are collected onboard and then disposed of at suitable facilities in port. Hybrid systems can function in either closed or open mode, providing flexibility for ship operators.

Now, nearly ten years after the introduction of sulfur emission control areas, political discussions are emerging regarding a potential ban on the operation of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems. According to NGOs and some governments, discharging EGCS washwater could pose a risk to the marine environment, although there is still no global consensus on this issue. KVNR acknowledges the need to improve surface water quality and recognizes that EGCS washwater discharges could potentially harm vulnerable marine areas. As a result, Dutch shipowners are advocating for a global standard that the washwater must meet before it is released back into the sea.

Implementing a discharge standard for EGCS washwater is a more effective approach to preventing unwanted substances from entering the marine environment than an outright ban. While a total ban would transfer the problem from water to air, some airborne pollutants would eventually settle back into the water, still affecting the marine ecosystem. Moreover, seagoing vessels without EGCS emit higher levels of sulfur oxides and particulate matter, which negatively impact the health of people in coastal states.

Banning the discharge of EGCS washwater would render most EGCS ineffective, forcing shipowners to switch to low-sulfur fuels for their vessels.

The KVNR supports a global discharge standard for EGCS washwater and opposes an outright ban, as not all EGCS are the same and many systems provide additional filtration for the washwater. Furthermore, some EGCS offer opportunities for significant innovations in the sustainability of shipping. For example, certain EGCS can capture up to 30% of CO2 when combined with CO2 capture technology, and this percentage is expected to rise to around 80% in the very near future.

This presents a crucial opportunity for existing ships to significantly reduce their emissions. However, effective CO2 capture requires the treatment of exhaust gases through EGCS, as the exhaust must be clean for the capture process to work effectively.