Environmental evaluation of the use of diesel engine in ships

With increasing awareness regarding the environment and how emissions from diesel

engines can affect air quality, there are new regulations that aim at minimizing the emission of

sulphur oxides, nitrous oxides, particulate matter and carbon dioxide from diesel engines used in

large ships (DNV, 2013). The IMO (International Maritime Organization) has adopted engine

and fuel standards based on the Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of

Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) according to which certain coastal areas have been designated

as Emission Control Areas (ECA) and ships operating in these areas are required to meet tighter

emission limits (DNV, 2013). The Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Ship Energy

Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) adopted by the IMO in 2011 have been put into force

since January 2013 (DNV, 2013). According to Tier-I regulations, the fuel sulfur standards in

ECAs will be 10,000 ppm starting July 2010 and the fuel sulfur standards for other areas will be

35,000 ppm starting January 2012 (EPA, 2008). In the context of nitrous oxides, emissions will

be reduced by 15-20% starting July 2010 (Tier I) and by 20% starting January 2011 (Tier II)

(EPA, 2008). Beginning in 2015, all ships that are operating in ECAs will be required to use fuel

with no more than 1,000 parts per million (ppm) sulfur (Tier II) (EPA, 2008). These ships must

also have high technology engines that would cut emissions of ozone-forming oxides of nitrogen

by 80% starting January 2016 (Tier III). According to MARPOL Annex VI, by 2015, operators

will have to choose between installing exhaust gas cleaning systems known as scrubbers and

switching to low sulphur fuel for all ships operating in an ECA (DNV, 2013). Scrubbers are

generally huge and would require alterations to the ships infrastructure. Low sulphur fuel

options would be either expensive distillates such as Marine Gas Oil (MGO) with 0.1% sulphur

or LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) (DNV, 2013). In 2020 or by 2025, after an IMO review in 2018,
the 0.5% sulphur global cap will be enforced (Tier III) (DNV, 2013). This means, in areas other

than the ECAs, ships can use fuel with at most 5,000 ppm starting January 2020 (EPA, 2008).

These new international standards contained in the Annex VI amendments will be applicable for

all new marine diesel engines above 130 kW (175 hp) and all marine diesel fuels (DNV, 2013).
 References

DNV (Det Norske Veritas) (2013). Shipping 2020. Accessed online on October 15 2013 at

http://www.dnv.nl/binaries/shipping%202020%20-%20final%20report_tcm141-

530559.pdf

EPA (2008). International Maritime Organization Adopts Program to Control Air Emissions

from Oceangoing Vessels. Accessed online on October 15 2013 at

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/nonroad/marine/ci/420f08033.pdf