Fincantieri and GE to develop new emission control solution

A entirely new emissions control solution is to be developed by Fincantieri in conjunction with GE Power.

Called the Shipboard Pollutant Removal System, the solution is designed to reduce Sox and particulate emissions in compliance with the global sulphur cap that will be effective by 2020.

According to the agreement, Fincantieri will define the necessary technical parameters to design an emission control system for a vessel, including constraints and improvements to develop a competitive product. At the same time, GE Power will define the features necessary for an emission control system, to help meet the target performances.

The agreement, which follows a previous memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies last September, was signed by Sandro De Poli, president and chief executive of GE Italy and Giuseppe Bono, chief executive of Fincantieri.

Mr Bono emphasised the unique nature of the collaboration, saying: “No shipbuilder before had ever established a partnership to reduce emissions with a system manufacturer, that is one of among the leaders in the area in which it operates. This strategy, having cutting-edge research and innovation at the forefront, will allow us to raise the bar of technology to the benefit of the cruise market.”

The exact nature of the new solution remains unclear at this stage as it is still in development and a Fincantieri representative told Marine Propulsion that it was too early to disclose further details about the project. However, there was perhaps a hint that it will rely on scrubbing technology in the company’s statement that “While the system is being developed for cruise vessels, it is intended that it should be appropriate for all vessels using heavy fuel”.