Project: WP1 - FeasIbility studies and WP 5 - Environmental and economic due diligence
Author(s): Haakon Lindstad, Inge Sandaas and Anders H. Strømman
Journal/conference: Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment - Volume 38, July 2015, Pages 41–48
Date: 22.05.2015
Assessment of cost as a function of abatement options in maritime emission control areas
This paper assesses cost as a function of abatement options in maritime emission control areas (ECA).
The first regulation of air pollutions from ships which came into effect in
the late 1990s was not strict and could easily be met. However the present requirement
(2015) for reduction of Sulfur content for all vessels, in combination with the required
reduction of nitrogen and carbon emissions for new-built vessels, is an economic and technical
challenge for the shipping industry. Additional complexity is added by the fact that
the strictest nitrogen regulations are applicable only for new-built vessels from 2016
onwards which shall enter US or Canadian waters. This study indicates that there is no single
answer to what is the best abatement option, but rather that the best option will be a
function of engine size, annual fuel consumption in the ECA and the foreseen future fuel
prices. However a low oil price, favors the options with the lowest capex, i.e. Marine Gas
Oil (MGO) or Light Fuel Oil (LFO), while a high oil price makes the solutions which requires
higher capex (investments) more attractive.
Link to article in Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment ( ISSN 1361-9209)