MariNOx systems for Messina quartet
07 June 2010

The first of their type to be built to RINA Green Plus Notation environmental notation, Messina's new ships will be equipped with Martek's MariNOx CEMs system to monitor NOx, SOx and CO2 emissions.

Four 45,200 dwt heavy lift ro-ro container ships ordered by Italian operator Ignazio Messina from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) in South Korea are specified with Martek Marine's MariNOx emissions monitoring systems.

One of the world's leading ro-ro container shipping operators, Genoa-based Ignazio Messina is strengthening a specialist fleet of 16 own-ships and chartered tonnage with newbuildings that are the largest of their type ever ordered. They will also be the first such ships built to RINA's Green Plus notation, reflecting the high environment-friendly status of the design and equipment specification.

Contributing to the classification society's notation, emissions of NOx, SOx and carbon dioxide in the exhaust gases of the main and genset engines as well as from the auxiliary boiler will be measured to the accuracy defined in the IMO's NOx Technical Code by Martek Marine's MariNOx monitoring system. The CEMS installations will also be capable of measuring carbon monoxide, oxygen, hydrocarbons and particulate matter.

All the sensor readings will be logged in a centralised data management system and stored onboard, with the key input information saved in a secure tamper-proof database file. User-configurable emission level alarms will also be provided.

Each ship will be powered by a 7-cylinder MAN B&W L70ME-C8 low speed main engine with a maximum continuous rating of around 23MW and arranged to burn heavy fuel oil (up to 700 cSt viscosity) and marine diesel oil. The four gensets will each be driven by a medium speed diesel engine developing 1,840kW and also arranged to burn HFO and MDO.

A vertical watertube auxiliary boiler with a capacity of 2,500 kg/h will be installed to generate saturated steam at a working pressure of 7 bar (g), burning HFO or MDO.

MariNOx, the world's first class type-approved (Lloyd's Register) onboard exhaust emissions and engine efficiency monitoring system, offers the simplest solution for complying with Marpol Annex VI, the NOx Technical Code and MEPC 103(49). It continuously monitors the exhaust gases from main engines, auxiliary engines and boilers along with the engine/ambient parameters to calculate NOx emissions.

In addition, the system enables continuous optimisation of engine performance to deliver fuel savings of up to 4%, fostering a swift return on investment. Flexibility in engine settings and the use of non-OEM spare parts are also facilitated.

DSME and Martek have worked together on earlier projects calling for CEMS equipment and will co-operate closely in optimising MariNOx system installations for the increasing number of owners specifying ships to high environmental standards. The Messina projects also see Martek pioneering with RINA the first type approval of CEMS equipment to meet the Italian classification society's exacting Green Plus notation standards.

Some 180 MariNOx CEMS systems are now in service or on order with leading ship operators in diverse trades.