OSM Ship Management has launched a customer assistance programme to help shipping companies retrofit scrubbers in time for the IMO’s 0.5 per cent global sulphur cap in 2020.
OSM’s project engineer Ilias Soultanias said that while the 2020 deadline is fast approaching, the industry is still quite indecisive when it comes to choosing a method of compliance. “As more owners and operators opt for scrubbers, it becomes more challenging to investigate options and secure equipment, book dry-docking slots and plan for the overall project. OSM’s wide cooperation network gives us access to system manufacturers and engineering resources, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of projects,” stated Mr Soultanias.
The safety of compliant fuel blends for 2020 has been questioned and they are not yet widely available. Scrubbers enable shipowners to use heavy fuel oil (HFO) instead of a new 0.5 per cent fuel blend. OSM believes that the main advantage of using scrubbers as a compliance method is the continuous use of widely available and economical fuels instead of the compliant ones.
Fuel is often the responsibility of the charterer, so it may also be in a charterer’s interest to support an investment in scrubbers, especially for time charters. Mr Soultanias said OMS’s team is ready to support any stakeholder requiring assistance and guidance through the solution selection and implementation.
“There are several stages in this complex process, from choosing the compliance method to verifying the installation with class. Since there are many stakeholders involved and there is a time constraint, an owner may have already taken some decisions and require assistance only in certain parts of the process, and OSM can support them in any step as required,” Mr Soultanias confirmed.
