Clipper Adds MGO Tanks for Easier ECA Operations

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Monday March 16, 2015

In order to comply with stricter Emission control Area (ECA) regulations, Clipper Group has announced that they are converting heavy fuel oil (HFO) tanks aboard some of its bulkers into marine gas oil (MGO) tanks.

One HFO tank will be converted aboard each of six 30,000 DWT bulk carriers.

"The conversion reduces unnecessary costs of frequent bunker operations and delays," said the company.

"As an extra benefit, the physical separation of piping makes it very unlikely to mix the two fuel grades by mistake.

The company added that the conversions have helped one of the vessels, the Clipper Tarpon, sail for longer periods of time within ECAs without additional bunker calls.

Its MGO capacity was also expanded to 564.4 cubic metres from 143.4 cubic metres, with the upgrades done over the course of three weeks in Turkey by Clipper Fleet Management, the company's in-house technical department.

In addition to the MGO conversion, which took eight days, the team also optimised the vessels piping into separate HFO and MGO systems.

"We believe that improved performance can be achieved through innovative thinking and looking for new ways to reduce our environmental footstep," Clipper said.

"Our ultimate goal is to have a dependable fleet that always lives up to its full potential."

Early last year, Clipper also announced that previous bow retrofits had helped one of its ships reduce its fuel consumption by 8.5 percent.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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