World’s Biggest Boxships Will Be Fitted with Scrubbers

Photo: Hyundai Merchant Marine

Hyundai Merchant Marine will fit its 23,000 TEU megaships with exhaust gas cleaning systems to meet the International Maritime Organization’s low sulphur fuel regulations.

South Korea’s number one shipping line has hired Finnish technology company Valmet to supply the so-called scrubber systems for the seven newbuilds under construction at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) shipyard in South Korea. 

Valmet says the scrubbers systems will be a type of hybrid system that allows both open-loop and closed-loop modes for all main engine and generator engines, including auxiliary systems and automation. The systems are expected to be delivered sometime this year. 

HMM has committed to scrubber systems on all twenty of its recently ordered Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs), including the 23,000 TEU ships which are expected for delivery in the second quarter of 2020. The order, placed last year, comprises twelve 23,000 TEU and eight 14,000 TEU ships spread among South Korea’s leading shipbuilders DSME, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries. 

At 23,000 TEU, the ships will be the largest in the world. 

Starting January 1, 2020, new rules from the International Maritime Organization will limit the allowable sulphur content in marine fuel to 0.5%, down from 3.5% currently. For compliance, shipowners have the option to use more expensive low sulphur fuel or install scrubber systems that limit the amount of sulphur emissions released into the atmosphere.  

On March 21, HMM announced it has launched a first-of-its-kind investment fund to help pay for the costs of scrubber installations on 19 existing containerships before the January 1, 2020 deadline. The five companies invested in the fund will receive first priority in contract negotiations such as long-term fuel supply, scrubber equipment and installation.

Read Next: Hyundai Merchant Marine Pulls Trigger on 20 Large Containerships for $2.8 Billion

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