GE Power, Fincantieri to Develop New Emission Control System

US-based GE Power and Italy’s shipbuilder Fincantieri have signed an agreement for the co-development of a new emission control solution to reduce pollution in the marine industry.

Called Shipboard Pollutant Removal System, the new solution will help control emissions to be compliant with MARPOL’s more stringent emissions limits directive that will be effective by 2020, according to the parties.

The new product to control SOx and particulates emissions is developed for cruise vessels but can be installed on all vessels using heavy fuel. In addition, Fincantieri said that the product will help ship owners reduce operational costs.

“This strategy, having cutting-edge research and innovation at the forefront, will allow us to furthermore raise the bar of technology to the benefit of the cruise market, in a sector, as the one of minimization of environmental impact, which is so significant for our customers,” Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, said.

Under the deal, Fincantieri will define the necessary technical requirements to design an emission control system for a vessel, including constrains and improvements to develop a competitive product, while GE Power will define the features that are necessary for an emission control system, to help meet the target performances.

The agreement follows a previous memorandum of understanding reached between the two companies in September last year.