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DFDS Tor Line has decided to invest in a scrubber system to reduce the sulphur content in exhaust fumes from its vessels.

The first vessel to be equipped with scrubbers is Tor Ficaria, which operates between Gothenburg and Immingham in the UK. The vessel is currently being fitted with a scrubber system at the shipyard in Bremerhaven.

Scrubber units use a process where salt water is added to the flue gases to remove the sulphur.

Commenting on the technology, Per Marzelius, Head of Ship Management at DFDS Tor Line in Gothenburg said "The use of scrubbers is as an effective means of reducing sulphur emissions, which in turn reduces acidification of the marine environment."

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO), has recently decided on new, stricter sulphur regulations. The English Channel, North Sea and Baltic are currently Emission Control Areas (ECAs), where the maximum permitted level sulphur level in fuel will be reduced to 0.1 per cent from 2015. The current figure is 1.5 per cent in ECAs and 4.5 per cent globally.

"For DFDS Tor Line the investment in scrubbers is a means of complying with the new, stricter sulphur regulations and contributing to a cleaner environment," said Marzelius.