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The Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems Association (EGCSA) has been launched today with the aim of providing a sustainable operating environment within the marine industry for exhaust gas cleaning system technologies.

The founder members of the association include a number of firms that are involved in the manufacture of exhaust gas cleaning systems for the marine sector. They are: Aalborg Industries, Clean Marine, Krystallon, Marine Exhaust Solutions, and Wartsila.

The EGCSA will also include membership from companies in associated sectors that support technology solutions to reduce exhaust gas air pollution from ships.

The EGSCA said that it intends to work closely with the marine and energy industries and regulatory bodies, as well as governments, NGOs and environmental groups to create a standardised regulatory framework for the development of exhaust gas cleaning systems.

In addition, the newly-formed organisation will look to provide a centre for technical information, impartial advise, opinion and information around the issues and challenges related to emissions reduction and exhaust gas cleaning systems.

Exhaust gas cleaning systems for marine applications are typically viewed as scrubber systems to reduce sulphur oxide (SOx) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx). Both SOx and NOx have been identified as pollutants to be targeted under IMO regulations to reduce harmful emissions from ship fuel.

The EGCSA said that it will also highlght that other pollutants, not yet targeted by regulators such as particulate matter, can be greatly-reduced through exhaust gas cleaning technologies, while the association would also look to incorporate new and innovative exhaust gas cleaning systems as they develop.

Donald Gregory, Director, EGCSA, said today: “Marine exhaust gas cleaning systems offer a viable, sustainable and cost-effective alternative to switching from High Sulphur bunker fuel to Low Sulphur bunker fuel and, eventually, distillate fuel.

“Given the anticipated demand of 22 million tonnes of distillates that is required in Europe alone by 2015 for the shipping sector, marine gas systems provide an invaluable resource to offset tight demand and higher fuel costs for both ship owners and operators.”

Gregory added: “Marine exhaust gas cleaning systems manufacturers must be, and are willing to, engage with the shipping industry to demonstrate and prove the reliability, availability and value of their technologies. They clearly have a major role to play in reducing harmful emissions, but it is vital that the market is presented with the right information as to the benefits that they provide and the progress that needs to be made to develop the technology accordingly.”