Scrubber manufacturer Feen Marine Indonesia has launched an innovative scrubber package aimed at cutting the cost of fitting vessels with exhaust gas cleaning systems.
The SOx BOX comprises a ready-to-function scrubber in a steel backpack that can be placed on a vessel's open deck near the funnel.
After being welded into place, the backpack need only be connected to the onboard piping and power before being switched on.
Feen Marine Indonesia owner Bjornar Feen says the SOx BOX's weight footprint is between 60% and 70% less than that of a conventional scrubber.
Light-weight alternative
Conventional systems are installed onboard a vessel in separate components, he added, and need to be covered by a large steel deckhouse.
The SOx BOX weighs less than a fully loaded shipping container, Feen added, which means it can be installed on most ships without further reinforcing the deck.
This, he said, significantly reduced the time required to install a scrubber.
“A shipyard can install the SOx BOX in one day. Of course the pipe work and pumps also have to be installed in the engine room, but I estimate that it can halve the total time. A well-planned installation can be reduced to 10 days,” Feen said.
The SOx BOX is tested at Feen Marine Indonesia's fabrication facility before being shipped, which further reduces the time needed to install it once onboard.
He added the SOx BOX also fits into a standard shipping container, which simplifies its transportation.
I looked at how complicated it was ... and thought there must be an easier way
Bjornar Feen
Feen told TradeWinds that the idea for the SOx BOX came to him when he attended the installation of a conventional scrubber at a shipyard in Batam.
Eureka moment
“I looked at how complicated it was, and all the work required, and thought there must be an easier way,” he said.
“What we are seeing is that while scrubber costs are coming down, the installation costs are going up. Many times the installation cost is higher than the cost of the scrubber itself.”
Feen Marine Indonesia has received principal approval for the SOx BOX from DNV GL, and according to Feen, several orders have already been received.
Installation of the first SOx BOX scrubber system is scheduled to take place next month.
