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Hamburg-based SKF Blohm + Voss Industries GmbH - part of Sweden's SKF Group - recently launched the Turbulo BlueMon emissions monitoring system, that is said to be able to record all relevant emissions on board ships in only one system, thereby aiding compliance with the applicable MARPOL regulations.

Additionally, Turbulo BlueMon couple these values with the vessel's position data, based on GPS signals. This link – a new development on the market – facilitates compliance with existing regulations and makes possible seamless auditing and verification of emissions from ships.

The environmental protection in the maritime shipping sector is defined in six annexes in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78). Turbulo BlueMon is able to record all ship emissions that are listed with limit values in the respective Annexes.

Sea areas that are subject to other regulations, such as the Vessel General Permit 2013, applicable to US coastal waters, are also stored in the system. Thanks to the GPS link, it is clear where and when which emissions are emitted. The data remains available for at least 24 months, thereby allowing retrospective verification that all emission limits were complied with.

The GPS link also supports compliance with regulations; If a ship heads towards a sea area where specific emission regulations apply, the system delivers a corresponding warning on the bridge. This allows the current emission values to be checked again and adjusted as necessary to meet differing emission limits. Turbulo BlueMon can also control the discharge of bilge water through the system’s own overboard valve in accordance to the limits programmed by the crew.

Modular design of the system

Turbulo BlueMon is of modular design and can be individually configured as needed. The standard specification of the system comprises a central data logger connected to a PC. Depending upon the customer’s requirements, a software package can be provided for each of the Annexes to the MARPOL regulations, which will monitor the respective emissions. If required, SKF Blohm + Voss Industries can also supply the associated technical components.

Clear user interface

All relevant data can be displayed on the system's monitor screen for at-a-glance viewing. The user can switch between views that show geographical maps with the ship’s current position and emission zones, and a clearly laid out overview of the current emission values. This view displays the emission values set forth in MARPOL Annex 1 (Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil) – together with a graphical representation of the bilge water system – on a single screen. The emission values set forth in Annexes 2-6 are summarised on a further screen.