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Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL) has announced plans to install a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system - jointly developed by MOL, Yanmar Co., Ltd. and Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. - on all three power generators of a MOL-operated ocean-going freighter for a demonstration test.

According to MOL, the test will demonstrate NOx denitration under the actual operation of a freighter to meet the Tier III NOx regulations set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The SCR system received a statement of fact from ship classification society Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) on July 1, verifying that it meets the NOx Tier III emission limit, and its superior denitration performance was said to have been confirmed. The system was developed with support of ClassNK’s Joint R&D with Industries and Academic Partners program.

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, MARPOL Annex VI , regulates NOx emissions from vessels. It is expected that diesel engines used on vessels built after 2016 will be required to reduce NOx emissions by more than 80% from the Tier I NOx emission standards in Emission Control Areas, including North America.

"The SCR system will give MOL a head start in responding to this critical environmental issue. This initiative reflects MOL's effort to prevent air pollution as one of the environmental strategies in its single-year management plan RISE 2013," MOL said.

"The company takes a proactive stance in introducing various technologies that will reduce the environmental burden of its business activities," MOL added.