Emission monitoring for clean air on oceans brings maritime air pollution control closely in line with shore-based power plants, cement works and oil refineries, where continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) have been used for decades. As from the January 1, 2020, the low sulphur emission limits in the IMO regulations became effective worldwide.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) set out the MARPOL Annex VI regulations aiming to control of the main air pollutants emitted by vessels. These regulations focus on the control and reduction of sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions: Regulation 14 for control and monitoring of SOx emitted by the combustion of heavy fuel oil (HFO) engines SOX control guidelines are specified in the MEPC.259 (68).
They apply in all Emission Control Areas (ECAs) starting January 1st 2015 on and have started in 2020 globally.
In order to control the efficiency of exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) and following MEPC.259 (68), measurement of SOx/CO₂ ratio is required.
The NOx Technical Code (NTC) 2008 specifies the measurement performance of a CEMS on board of a vessel. Ship yards, ship owners and marine ECGS manufacturers need to equip vessels with exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) for continuous analyzer systems to measure: sulphur oxides (SOx), carbon dioxide (CO₂)