Damen and AEC Maritime join forces for scrubber solutions
Damen Shipyards Group has signed a Sales Agreement with scrubber producer AEC Maritime. Damen will now be able to offer ship owners exclusive access to efficient, low maintenance and IMO-certified exhaust gas scrubber technologies, the company said in its press release.
With the inclusion of scrubber expertise to its existing knowledge of Ballast Water Treatment Systems, Damen has added an important facet to its strategy of providing ship owners with a total solution regarding the latest IMO requirements.
Flexible scrubber
AEC Maritime is a business that draws upon substantial experience and cooperation with sister company AEC Systems whose air cleaning products for various land-based industries have been developed in close cooperation with the VDL-Group. With more than 20 years’ experience, AEC Systems has installed more than 2,600 land-based scrubber systems.
In diversifying to maritime scrubber systems four years ago, AEC Maritime used the same key ideas that had proved so successful in these land-based products. “Our scrubber systems focus on three strong principles,” informs AEC Maritime Chief Technical Officer Marcel Clephas. “To make scrubber installation simple, to optimise the price of the product with the cost of installation, and, finally, to deliver reliable and low maintenance systems.”
AEC’s scrubbers also afford ship owners a great deal of flexibility. They can be installed on all types of engine and they allow vessels to run on traditional Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) instead of the more expensive Marine Gas Oil (MGO).
In terms of efficiency, the company’s scrubbers remove more than 98% of sulphur from exhaust gases; thus exceeding IMO requirements. The systems also comply with MARPOL Annex VI (MEPC 58 and 59).
To date, numerous AEC Maritime scrubber systems have not only been installed, but are currently in effective operation for various clients in the shipping industry.
While AEC Maritime’s scrubbers have met with success in the shipping industry, a limiting factor for the company was that it lacked a maritime background. “We knew that ship owners will always need to go to a yard for a retrofit,” continues Mr Clephas. “But we discovered that clients want turnkey solutions – that include all aspects of the retrofit – to be carried out under one roof.”
AEC Maritime’s response was to look for a suitable maritime partner capable of offering that scope. “We are happy to have found that partner in Damen. This is an important time for the scrubber sector: in fact, the market is now.”
Talking about the advantages of the Sales Agreement to ship owners, Damen Director Green Solutions Marcel Karsijns comments: “This will allow all activities – on-board visits, 3D-scanning, Engineering, Piping, Project Management and Installation – to be executed under one roof. It will really unburden the client.” The Agreement also details AEC’s involvement in after sales service and maintenance contracts.
“AEC Maritime’s products are fabricated with excellent materials – and they have a proven track record with numerous clients. Furthermore, their scrubbers are IMO-certified.
“Combined with Damen Shiprepair & Conversion’s wealth of experience with retrofit activities – executed not only at competitive costs but with short lead times – this recognised product further strengthens Damen’s ‘one-stop-shop’ philosophy for clients looking for comprehensive solutions.”
