Stena Bulk has made a major investment in scrubbers and before January 2020, sixteen units will be installed.
Ten IMOIIMAXes, five Suezmaxes and one of standard MR will be equipped with the after-treatment system. The total investment is worth USD 55 million, including equipment, installation and time out of service. Payback time of investment is between 1.5-2.5 years, which has already been secured by hedging the fuel spread.
IMO Sulphur Cap
By installing scrubbers on board, Stena Bulk will comply with the upcoming IMO Sulphur cap regulation, which limit the sulphur content in fuel oil used on board vessels globally to a maximum of 0.50 per cent from today´s 3.50 per cent limit, coming in place January 2020. As a result of the new regulation, by the 1 January 2020, the global shipping fleet will be required to either install scrubbers on board or to use a compliant fuel with the maximum sulphur content of 0.5 per cent (outside Emission Control Areas (ECAs)).
Scrubbers to Secure Availability
The fuel availability around the globe, to a degree a given one, has now become a concern to many.
'We evaluated the different options and came to the conclusion that for our business by installing scrubbers we will secure greater availability of fuel for our vessels and by so limit our exposure to not finding the right fuel around the world and by that stay flexible in our trading. Even doing so we know it will require some changes and probably massive challenges in the planning logistically,' says President & CEO Erik Hånell.
Open Loop Hybrid
The scrubber to be installed is an Open Loop Hybrid Ready with Water Cleaning, which not only removes the sulfur, but also particles from the exhaust.
Picture: One of Stena Bulk's tankers, the Stena Impero.
