- by CIMAC and NMA India
In a first of its kind initiative, on October 4, 2017, NMA India in collaboration with Central CIMAC Secretariat (Germany) successfully organized a First CIMAC India Circle during INMEX SMM, 2017- an apt platform where leading OEMs like Wartsila, MAN, Kirloskar, ABB and various representatives of Indian & global marine fraternity gathered to showcase the latest developments.
The theme of the CIMAC Circle was “Challenges and opportunities in meeting the Tier III standards and other emission requirements”. Panelists from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), MAN (Denmark), Wartsila (India), BASF (Singapore), Shipping Corporation of India and Lloyd’s Register shared their views which were moderated by Dr. R. K. Malhotra, Director General, Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry.
To have a meaningful interaction and for panelists to familiarize with one another, Dr. SSV Ramakumar, President NMA India & Director Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), hosted a lunch prior to the event. Kick-starting the event, Dr. Reji Mathai, General Manager, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Secretary, CIMAC India introduced the panel and presented the activities of NMA India. Setting the tone for the panel discussion, moderator Dr. R. K. Malhotra, shared the views on MARPOL Annex VI and mandatory mechanisms intended to ensure energy efficiency standard for ships. He also spoke about the varied options prevailing to meet the emission requirements for vessels and requirement of fuel quality & its availability at economical price which will dictate the technological solutions.
The gist of the presentations were as follows:
- Mr. Casper Hededal Svendsen, Head of Emission Control, MAN Diesel & Turbo Copenhagen shared the OEM view point related to engine technology to meet IMO Tier III Compliance. The viable options and related challenges were brought out with great clarity.
- Mr. Rajesh Sood, Sr. VP (I/c) (Director Designate), Shipping Corporation of India and Vice-president of CIMAC India shared the user perspective for choosing viable solutions. He shared that users are assessing the pros and cons of various options like alternative fuels (LNG), Exhaust Gas Circulation (EGR), SOx Scrubbers etc. for implementing IMO Tier III compliance.
- Dr. SSV Ramakumar, Director (R&D), IOCL and President of CIMAC India talked about the readiness of refineries to produce low Sulphur Marine Fuels, stressing the fact that the economics will guide the varied available solutions. Dr Ramakumar elaborated on global perspective and technological options available for refiners to produce low Sulphur marine oils for 2020 complying MARPOL standards and highlighted the unfavorable refinery economics of producing such fuels esp. for India where distillate demand and prices are of overriding priority.
- Mr. Pankaj Misra, General Manager-Sales Marine Solutions, Wartsila India, presented various engine technologies and methods being pondered over by the engine manufacturers to meet the stringent emission challenges especially in the emission controlled areas.
- Dr. Claus Jacob, Vice-Director, BASF presented the role of additives for Marine Fuels & Lubricants to comply with MARPOL emissions. Dr. Jacob shared that marine fuels accounted for about 8% of transportation fuel demand in 2015 and will grow to 12% by 2040 which presents a magnitude of challenge to the industry.
- Mr. Anuj Singh, Marine Client Support Manager, Lloyd’s Register Asia shared the stringent requirements of classification protocol and challenges. Mr. Singh elaborated that there are two steps in certification/approval process, first class approval (safety) and second statutory approval (performance). Class approval (safety) comprises of emissions abatement plant for combustion machinery and statutory approval (performance) comprises of MARPOL Annex VI, Regulation 13; NOx technical code 2008; IMO technical code 2008 etc.
