Wilhelmsen targets hidden emissions

The main function of the maintenance solutions group at Wilhelmsen Ships Service is to be a one-stop shop for the consumables on a vessel. There are over 2000 items available here, all backed with the Wilhelmsen Ships Service name and supplied direct to the ship from the company’s own depots in ports worldwide. Examples of products include mooring ropes, cleaning chemicals, boiler water chemicals, pressure washers, welding supplies and refrigerants.

“People are always talking about fuel; how to replace it, how to become more sustainable, but the refrigerant systems are often not talked about,” explained Wilhelmsen Ships Service vice president, maintenance solutions, Jochen Juttermann. “Refrigerant gases have a huge CO2 equivalent that is emitted to the atmosphere. This is not a very well-known problem in the shipping industry.”

“Between 20% and 40% of the refrigerant gases on a vessel are leaked to the atmosphere”

Continues Mr Juttermann: “Between 20% to 40% of the refrigerant gases on a vessel are leaked to the atmosphere. That is equivalent to 18.2 M tonnes of CO2-equivalent.” One cylinder of refrigerant leaked to the atmosphere is equivalent to the CO2 emitted by 38 cars.

How can this issue be addressed? “There are three simple things that can be done,” said Mr Juttermann. “The first is to replace the old gas with the latest developments.” New gases may have a CO2-equivalent content of up to 60% less than the older gasses.

Next, Mr Juttermann flagged up leak detection. “There are many gas leak detectors on the market and installing these can reduce the leaking by alerting the crew.” Often, the only time a leak is detected is when a cylinder is being replaced.

“Third, use a refrigerant cylinder exchange programme,” said Mr Juttermann. All the packaging is returned and recycled, reducing the waste. More importantly, this reduces the possibility of being sold counterfeit gas and cylinders, which is a big problem.”