---

M/V Balder, equipped with Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (EGCS) from Clean Marine, is the first vessel in the world to operate this type of system in the U.S. Emission Control Area (ECA).

Upon arrival in Baltimore at the end of August, the vessel's Master sought approval from the coast guard to enter and exit the ECA Zone using high sulphur fuel oil with EGCS, rather than burning the more expensive low sulphur fuel oil (1% Sulphur content).

Clean Marine reports that it invited USCG and EPA to observe the EGCS in operation for compliance with the ECA.

"Officials from the U.S. Coast Guard, led by Lieutenant Commander Edgardo Cruz (Chief Inspection Division, Sector Baltimore), conducted a Port State Control exam on 29th of August in Baltimore and confirmed that the Clean Marine EGCS installed onboard was operating satisfactory and found to be in full compliance with MARPOL Annex VI as an equivalency to utilizing low sulphur fuel oil as per the IAPP Certificate," Clean Marine said.