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Marine scrubbing technology manufacturer Hamworthy Krystallon has signed a contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the world's largest shipyard, to deliver a scrubber system on a Liquefied Petroleum Gas tanker being constructed for Norwegian shipowner Solvang ASA.

According to Hamworthy Krystallon, the 84.000 cubic meter (cbm) VLGC will be fitted with the world's first commercially-contracted full vessel scrubber system, comprising two scrubbers; one for the main engine and one combined scrubber for three auxiliary engines.

The scrubbers and washwater treatment will be situated in the funnel, in a modular design. According to Hamworthy Krystallon, the concept can be readily applied to similar vessels such as tankers, which the company says demonstrates that scrubbers can help owners comply with upcoming regulations, irrespective of vessel type and size.

The newbuild vessel has been designed for energy efficiency and environmental performance. The vessel will be fitted with a next generation Hamworthy Cargo Handling system in order to achieve lower energy consumption and improved operational flexibility. Initiatives specific to the exhaust gas cleaning systems will include varying the washwater amounts depending on the load and sulphur content of the fuel oil, as well as installing an additional particulate matter (PM) capture system, which is said to reduce PM emissions by in excess of 90 percent.

The new contract precedes what from this month is effectively a three-year deadline for the fitting of scrubber technology before the 2015 deadline for meeting 0.1% sulphur levels in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) Europe and North America comes into effect.

Commenting on the deal, Sigurd Jenssen, Managing Director, Hamworthy Krystallon, commented: "We are delighted to be working with Solvang ASA and Hyundai Heavy Industries to deliver the worldF0;s first complete scrubber system, and the first ever scrubber to be fitted on a LPG carrier.

"There is real concern over the 2015 ECA regulations, and we are starting to see more owners and operators actively consider what solution they will employ to remain compliant, but time is running out. Ship owners and operators are increasingly aware of the impending supply chain issue facing the market, but many fail to consider that once a scrubber system is installed, it is important to develop operational experience prior to using on a daily basis."