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The Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) has announcd the release of a recently completed study on exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS).

SOCP said it conducted the study in light of new EPA regulations that become mandatory to ships operating in emission control areas (ECAs) in 2015 requiring lower sulphur emissions.

The objective of the study is to assist ship operators in the dilemma of whether to switch to more expensive distillate fuel in ECAs or to install EGCS and continue burning higher sulphur intermediate fuels.

The guide aims to assist ship operators in determining their emissions requirements, calculating potential cost savings, and understanding the integration and operational challenges of various EGCS technologies available today.

The development of the guide has been made possible through the financial support of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP).

SOCP is an industry-government partnership whose purpose is to address and promote commercial shipping operations through the identification, development, and application of new methods, procedures, and technologies.

SOCP’s overall objective is to improve the competitiveness, safety, security and environmental responsiveness of all U.S. vessel operations.