VDL and AEC Maritime Launch New JV for Scrubber Production

VDL AEC Maritime was launched on September 1. Image: VDL Groep

VDL Groep (VDL) today announced that it has entered into a joint venture with AEC Maritime for the production of exhaust gas scrubbers for ships.

The new collaboration between the two companies, known as VDL AEC Maritime, was launched on September 1.

"The efficiency and solid financial basis offered by VDL Groep are essential for the growth of our business. Moreover, we are no strangers to one another: VDL KTI is already responsible for manufacturing our scrubbers," said Marcel Clephas, co-owner and technical director of AEC Maritime.

Damen Green Solutions is set to be responsible for the installation of the scrubbers, subject to the finalisation of a collaboration agreement between VDL AEC Maritime and Damen Shipyards Group.

"The biggest advantage of this new joint venture is that it offers customers one-stop shopping for the entire process from sale and engineering, through to production and installation of the scrubbers," said Kevin Kuijs, director of VDL AEC Maritime.

VDL notes that the joint venture comes amid higher scrubber demand created by tighter emission control area (ECA) regulations and ahead of a 0.50 percent global cap on sulfur in bunkers set for 2020.

"Against the background of this new regulation, VDL Groep is confident in the market potential for scrubbers: worldwide, around 70,000 ships will be required to restrict their emissions," said VDR.

"One alternative is cleaner fuel oil, with a higher cost of consumption. Fitting a filter system is a more cost-saving alternative. Depending on the size of the vessel and the price of oil, the payback time for the investment is around two years."

Last year, Damen Shipyards Group signed an agreement with AEC Maritime to help make its exhaust gas scrubbers available to maritime clients.