Shipdock has reached an agreement with Spliethoff, the Amsterdam-based ship-owning company, for the largest exhaust gas scrubber unit installed so far on board a commercial vessel. Due to forthcoming new IMO sulphur legislation, Shipdock is expecting an increased demand for this type of conversion.

This is the first scrubber capable of handling several exhaust gas inlets simultaneously (two main engines and two auxiliary engines producing a combined engine power of 28.000 kW). It will be installed on Spliethoff’s vessel m.v. Plyca during her scheduled dry dock visit during October of this year.

Mr. Frank Louwers, director of Spliethoff, explains that the installation of this scrubber – the largest ever installed on a commercial vessel – will ensure Spliethoff being well-prepared for the impending IMO Marpol Annex VI sulphur legislation in 2015 (requiring a 0,1% limit in European and American ECA waters). Shipdock was in close competition with other yards for this contract. Louwers: “Shipdock offered competitive timescales and rates, beside which we also have an enduring business relationship with Shipdock whereby they handle the docking & maintenance of about ten of our vessels each year.”

Shipdock’s tasks under this contract are:

- Fabrication and installation of a new sea chest section

- Fabrication and installation of a new funnel and scrubber housing

- Installation of the necessary piping, pumps and control system

- Installation of tanks and heat exchanger

- Installation of the Alfa Laval Aalborg PurSox Scrubber

- Rerouting of exhaust gas lines and installation of by-passes

Shipdock’s expectations are high. Due to the forthcoming new IMO sulphur legislations, the next few years will see a significant increase in demand for the capacity for this kind of conversion and installation work at ship repair yards around the world.

Shipdock has, over many years, accumulated a vast store of knowledge and experience in the field of ship repair and major ship conversions, as is clarified by General Manager Flip van der Waal: “Our facilities are ideally equipped for this work. For this project the support of our sister company, Niron Staal, is an essential element for success. And although we will certainly encounter some serious challenges on this project, we will do our utmost to maintain our reputation as an extremely reliable and experienced ship repair and conversion yard.“