Wärtsilä to future-proof container vessels with CCS-Ready scrubber technology

Wärtsilä Corporation, Press release 24 September 2024 at 11:00 UTC+2
  • Wärtsilä has been contracted to supply its latest carbon capture and storage-ready scrubber systems - CCS-Ready scrubbers - for three container ships owned by German operator Leonhardt & Blumberg

Technology group Wärtsilä has been contracted to supply its latest carbon capture and storage-ready scrubber systems - CCS-Ready scrubbers - for three container ships owned by German operator Leonhardt & Blumberg. A CCS-Ready solution will assure Leonhardt & Blumberg that it has continued regulatory compliance for SOx emissions today and opens the door to a smooth CCS system adoption in the future. Following a number of newbuild orders for CCS-Ready scrubbers, this will be one of the first retrofit projects prepared for CCS in the marine industry. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2024.

The Wärtsilä solution significantly reduces a vessel’s operational expenses by enabling it to operate with less costly and more readily available fuel (HFO). At the same time, it significantly reduces the ship’s carbon footprint in line with the industry’s decarbonisation targets.

“We are working hard to operate our fleet in the most sustainable way possible,” says Tim Goettsche, Fleetmanager, Leonhardt & Blumberg. “This retrofit project with Wärtsilä’s advanced exhaust treatment system represents an exciting step forward in reducing GHG emissions with CCS technology. It will give our ships a head-start in being compliant with future regulatory requirements.”

The scrubbers are termed CCS-Ready because, as part of their installation, Wärtsilä will perform additional design and engineering work to ensure that future retrofits for a full CCS system on the vessels are accounted for.

An integrated CCS system, working in harmony with a scrubber system, is based on the principle of removing as many main pollutants from the exhaust as possible, tackling each pollutant in a modular fashion. Once other gases are removed, the remaining exhaust can then be scrubbed for carbon which can be safely stored onboard and disposed of on arrival at port.

“This project highlights and strengthens Wärtsilä’s commitment to deliver sustainable solutions for our customers. Our CCS-Ready scrubber technology has been proven in extensive testing over the past two and a half years. It is based on our deep experience and in-house know-how and will deliver a significant contribution to the industry’s efforts to reduce shipping’s environmental impact,” comments Sigurd Jenssen, Director, Exhaust Treatment, Wärtsilä Marine.   

The three 3600 TEU container vessels will be installed with a CCS-Ready, Vessel General Permit (VGP)-compliant, 27.5 MW Wärtsilä scrubber system. The flexible solution will ensure compliance with regulatory requirements regardless of where in the world they sail. The systems are being delivered on a fast-track basis, commencing in September of this year. The retrofit engineering and installation of the equipment onboard the vessels will be undertaken by Greentec Marine Engineering which is a high-tech service company specialising in marine and offshore engineering services.

Media contact for more information on this release:  

Isabella Alder   
Positioning and Strategic Communications Manager, Wärtsilä Marine   
Tel: +44 (0) 7792 681 757    
marine.media@wartsila.com

Image caption: Wärtsilä has been contracted to supply its latest carbon capture and storage-ready scrubber systems - CCS-Ready scrubbers - for three container ships owned by German operator Leonhardt & Blumberg © Leonhardt & Blumberg

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Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,800 professionals in more than 280 locations in 79 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2023, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.0 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
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Wärtsilä Marine in brief
Wärtsilä Marine is a global pioneer in power, propulsion and lifecycle solutions for the marine market. We develop industry-leading technologies, advancing maritime's transition to new fuels. We support building an end-to-end digital ecosystem where all vessels and ports are connected. Ultimately, Wärtsilä Marine is driving the shipping industry forward on its journey towards a decarbonised and sustainable future through our broad portfolio of engines, propulsion systems, hybrid technology, exhaust treatment, shaft line solutions and digital technologies, as well as integrated powertrain systems. Our offering, which is underpinned by our performance-based agreements, upgrades, lifecycle solutions, decarbonisation services, as well as an unrivalled global network of maritime expertise, delivers the efficiency, reliability, safety, and environmental performance needed to support a safe and sustainable future for our customers, our communities and our planet.
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