DNV GL has created a new ‘Scrubber Ready’ class notation to help shipowners prepare their newbuildings for a smooth and cost-efficient scrubber retrofit at a later stage for removal of SOx from their vessels’ exhaust. The notation, modeled along the lines of its ‘Gas Ready’ notation for LNG readiness, identifies the general type and category of scrubber systems than can be installed on the vessel.

It also details the level of scrubber readiness, with the minimum scope attesting that the space available and future installation arrangement meets class and statutory requirements. This can be expanded to include more extensive preparations, through to a complete review of the scrubber documentation according to main class rules, including the certification and installation of piping and sub-systems. The new notation is expected to aid shipyards offer future-ready ship designs to the market.

“Ship managers have to factor in many considerations when planning for a potential future scrubber installation, from space and stability requirements, to fire safety, piping, corrosion resistance, and the effect on the main engine,” explains Hans Jacob Horgen, DNV GL engineer responsible for exhaust gas cleaning rules. “It is very important to have an overview of the design and an understanding of how the system will interact with the engines and auxiliary parts of the machinery system. We also offer scrubber advisory services to support our customers, from building the business case, to risk assessment of the design, installation, commissioning, hardware-in-the-loop testing of the control system, right through to the system entering into operation.”

“There is no doubt that stricter emissions regulations for sulphur oxides are here to stay,” says Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO at DNV GL – Maritime. “This new Scrubber Ready class notation gives shipowners the flexibility to minimise their initial investment when ordering a newbuilding, while at the same time having the confidence that their vessels are already on the track to easy compliance with incoming emissions regulations,” he adds.

It is of note that rival class society ABS debuted its own scrubber ready notation back in October 2015.