(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) The adoption of Emission Capture and Control (ECC) can bring environmental advantages to maritime operations in ports and terminals. By using ECC while at berth, ships can reduce their emissions, contributing to improved local air quality and aiding in compliance with environmental regulations.
The Ocean-Going Vessels at Berth Regulation from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), hereunder referred to as CARB At Berth Regulation, prescribes that vessel operators shall use a CARB Approved Emissions Control Strategy (CAECS) to reduce auxiliary engine and auxiliary boiler emissions while a vessel is at berth.
To receive CARB approval, the emission controls strategy must show that it achieves the required emission rates for Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Particulate Matter (PM) and Reactive Organic Gases (ROG) stated within the regulation.
The vessel operator and the terminal may use a CARB-approved shore-based or barge-mounted ECC system to meet the CARB emissions control requirements.
To aid the safe use of ECC, OCIMF has assembled a workgroup composed of industry experts from different organisations representing shipowners, terminals and classification societies. The workgroup is developing guidance for the safe application of ECC for tankers at berth, considering the interfaces between the ECC technology, the tanker and the terminal.
In the meantime, OCIMF has produced this interim information paper, which aims to provide minimum functional requirements for the safe application of barge-based ECC to oil, chemical and oil product tankers operating at onshore conventional berths, such as piers, jetties and quays.
This paper highlights critical risks and technical and operational challenges and identifies potential preventive measures to safely apply a barge-based ECC.
Gas carriers, offshore vessels, barges and other non-tanker ship types are outside the scope of this work. Similarly, applying ECC to tankers at anchorage, operating at offshore terminals, performing double-banking or ship-to-ship, or using alternative fuels is outside the scope of this work. Still, some of the principles contained in this paper may apply to those ship types and operations and to shore-based ECC.
This interim paper does not:
- Dictate design details.
- Replace the need for site-specific risk assessment.
- Replace a comprehensive design, engineering and operational review.
- Establish a standard to be used for certification.
- Address commercial arrangements, such as who will hire the barge and who will receive theemissions reporting and pricing mechanisms.
An OCIMF guide covering additional aspects of the safe application of ECC to tankers, including the management of interfaces, will follow this paper.
For more details, read the OCIMF paper, by clicking below:
Source: OCIMF
