Damen Green Solutions Trials Efficient Scrubber Retrofit Process

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday June 1, 2017

Damen Shipyards Group (Damen) Wednesday announced that Damen Green Solutions (DGS) in partnership with Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) and AEC Maritime (AEC), is trialling a new technique for retrofitting scrubbers - known as the Modular Approach - which is designed to cut the time that a vessel typically needs to spend in dock from two or more weeks to just a few days.

The approach includes two parallel processes, including one in which the scrubbers and their supporting systems are fitted into two prefabricated modules while still in the workshop, and a second in which preparatory works are undertaken onboard the vessel.

Damen says the prefabrication process and preparatory works enables the technical team to focus on the final stage of the retrofit process when the ship does finally arrive at a Damen yard.

"This dramatic reduction in downtime, in combination with a more cost-efficient, certified scrubber, will be welcomed by ship owners and operators," explained Damen, noting that the first installation of this type is already underway for the RoRo cargo vessel Stena Scotia.

DGS has oversight of the entire retrofit process, including commissioning and training, and does so in close coordination with DSC and - in the case of Stena Scotia - Damen Shiprepair Rotterdam.

"With the need to access the vessel during its regular operations to undertake the preparations, it is vital to work very closely with the owner and crew to make the hours available as productive as possible," said Damen's Stef Loffeld, project manager.

"Fortunately, DSC's Harbour & Voyage teams are expert at working efficiently and unobtrusively when a ship is still in an operational mode. We also cooperate closely in the engineering phase with AEC, the suppliers of the scrubbing systems, to optimise the installation of the various components for maximum efficiency and operability. The result is a fast and effective installation with minimum downtime."

In August, Damen announced it had signed an agreement with Netherlands-based AEC to help make its exhaust gas scrubbers available to maritime clients.