28 November 2024
Greek shipowner orders additional scrubber systems
Greek shipowner Safe Bulkers has placed an order for additional scrubber systems to Alfa Laval, increasing the total to 25.
Greek shipowner Safe Bulkers has placed an order for additional scrubber systems for Alfa Laval. Hence, increasing the number of vessels, fitted with the systems to 25.
Concept
In recent years, Greek shipowner Safe Bulkers has retrofitted Alfa Laval exhaust gas cleaning systems on 20 of its bulk carriers. The company has just installed its 21st scrubber, and 4 more retrofits are on schedule for the first half of 2023. Hence, increasing the number of vessels, fitted with the systems to 25. Once again, the systems will have protection with a comprehensive Alfa Laval service agreement.
Fuel price difference
Safe Bulkers is expanding the retrofit programme for exhaust gas cleaning within its fleet. Having now retrofitted an open-loop system on the MV Pelopidas, the company will retrofit equivalent systems on four Capesize bulk carriers. Namely, MV Aghia Sofia, MV Lake Despina, MV Maria, and MV Michalis H. Alfa Laval’s deliveries for the vessels, which are each roughly 180,000 DWT in capacity, will extend from November 2022 to April 2023.
“Today’s increased price difference between low-sulphur and high-sulphur fuel shows that we were correct. We are protecting our margins in a time of uncertainty while simultaneously protecting the environment.”
Dr Loukas Barmparis, President of Safe Bulkers
Additionally, the company conducted a comprehensive sampling of effluent wash water from open-loop scrubber systems. Therefore, independent laboratories using EPA or ISO methods have shown that there is little or no impact from the wash water concentrations.
Partnership
As disclosed, the previous retrofit projects have all gone smoothly, and the systems themselves have lived up to the promised high performance. Thus, for Safe Bulkers, this was the natural choice.
“Retrofitting large equipment like a scrubber will always involve challenges… Both the support and the results are consistently excellent.”
Dr Loukas Barmparis, President of Safe Bulkers
To take full advantage of the partnership, Safe Bulkers has an Alfa Laval Service Agreement in place for its systems. Comprising spare parts packages, sensor exchanges, connectivity, and more, the agreement will now be expanded to cover the additional vessels.
More on Safe Bulkers
“We take no chances with our compliance at Safe Bulkers”
Dr Loukas Barmparis, President of Safe Bulkers
Aside from scrubber retrofits, the shipping company continues the install ballast water treatment systems (BWTS). So far, 42 out of 44 existing vessels have been fitted with BWTS.
Safe Bulkers also revealed that it was pursuing a vessel environmental upgrade program during dry-dockings. Particularly, reaching a worth of $3.3 million for 2022 and $7.6 million for 2023. This involves upgrades including the application of low-friction paints and the installation of energy-saving devices.
How energy-saving technologies can help CII rating
How can energy-saving technologies, also referred to as energy-saving devices, help you comply with CII? If you want hard data and real-world examples from vessel operators, a recent webinar is a must.
Ship Nerd
As of November 2022, the company’s fleet counts 44 vessels, consisting of 12 Panamax, 8 Kamsarmax, 16 Post-Panamax, and 8 Capesize vessels with an aggregate capacity of 4.5 million DWT and an average age of 10.6 years. The shipowner has 9 newbuilds on order designed to meet the IMO GHG Phase 3 – NOx Tier III regulations.
Source: AlfaLaval
See Also
Greek dry bulk shipping firm Star Bulk Carriers has earned back its $250 million exhaust gas cleaning scrubber investment, within a span of 2.5 years.
Star Bulk recovers $250m scrubber investment
Star Bulk Carriers has earned back its $250 million investment in exhaust gas cleaning scrubbers, within a span of 2.5 years.
