JULY 8, 2013 — Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) is to install a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system that it has jointly developed with Yanmar and Namura Shipbuilding on all three power generators of an MOL-operated vessel for a demonstration test. The test will demonstrate the SCR's ability to reduce NOx to IMO Tier III levels.

The SCR system received a statement of fact from classification society Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) on July 1, verifying that it meets the NOx Tier III emission limit, and its superior denitration performance was confirmed. The system was developed with support from ClassNK's "Joint R&D with Industries and Academic Partners" program.

MARPOL Annex VI regulates NOx emissions from vessels. Diesel engines used on vessels built after 2016 will be required to reduce NOx emissions by more than 80 percent from Tier I standards in the Emission Control Areas, including North America.

MOL says the SCR system will give it a head start in responding to this critical environmental issue.

The catalytic reactor that MOL is installing includes a bypass system to save engine room space and allow greater flexibility in design. The control of the three units that are being installed in the test vessel will be integrated to reduce the space needed for peripheral equipment.

The test operation on an actual vessel is scheduled to last about two years, to observe operability and refilling of aqueous urea, and ensure that:

• All three SCR systems function properly under normal power generator operating conditions.
• Long-term performance of the system can be maintained even if the engines use Bunker C and other fuels that contain high levels of impurities.