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CR Ocean Engineering, L.L.C. (CROE) has announced that it has recently been awarded the design and supply of two open loop exhaust gas cleaning systems, or scrubbing systems, from Stena RoRo AB.

The two systems are to be installed to reduce sulphur emissions from two main engines aboard the Stena Forerunner [pictured]. The Stena Forerunner operates primarily in the European Emission Control Area (ECA) where new low sulphur fuel regulations came into effect on January 1, 2015. The CROE scrubbing systems aboard the Forerunner are scheduled to be operational in the first half of 2015. Once installed, the scrubbers will allow the vessel to meet the low sulphur ECA requirements even when burning high sulphur fuel.

CROE says its scrubbing systems reduce the sulphur content of engine flue gas to below that found in 0.1% sulphur fuel (the equivalency standard) even when burning high sulphur fuels.

Effective 1 January 2015, all ships that operate in the North American and European ECAs are required to switch to 0.1% sulphur fuel or install scrubbers to meet the equivalency standard.

According to CROE, its scrubbing technology can be used on new ships or as a retrofit to existing vessels. The system is available in three standard configurations, customizable to the ship's needs: a) as a once through scrubber (also known and open loop); b) as a recirculating scrubber (also known as closed loop), and c) as a combination of both designs (also known as hybrid).

The system is designed to replace the existing silencers and does not require a bypass, says CROE. "Its small size minimizes ship modification and makes this technology an excellent choice for cruise ships, ferries, bulk carriers, containerships, RoRo and others," the company added.

Nick Confuorto, Chief Operations Officer of CR Ocean Engineering, L.L.C., commented: "We are very proud of our success in the maritime industry. We strongly believe that scrubbers will become the most widely used alternative solution to low sulphur fuel worldwide. We plan on being a major player in the marine scrubber market as we have been for the industrial scrubber market since the 1950s. Our company has had a proud history of success with our scrubbing systems and we plan on bringing that success to this emerging market. We know that fuel costs take a big bite out of the shipping company's operating profits. Therefore, we bring forward our extensive experience and advanced technology to provide ship-owners with a reliable and cost-effective alternative to the higher ECA compliant fuel costs. We are pleased and proud that STENA RoRo AB has entrusted us with this project."

Stena RoRo is one of the leading innovators of the roll on/roll off cargo and passenger concepts (commonly referred to as ro-ro and ro-pax). As a wholly integrated division of Stena AB, Stena RoRo was one of the first participants in the ro-ro market. In addition, Stena RoRo is considered a leader in the development and deployment of technologically advanced vessels.