Sweden's Stena Bulk is the latest owner to commit to scrubbers to comply with the IMO's 2020 low-sulphur fuel rules.
It has picked China's Shanghai Bluesoul Environment Technology to provide exhaust gas cleaners for its suezmax and IMOIIMAX fleets comprising 15 ships.
The company has options for six additional vessels before 2020. The company has three LNG carriers among its vessels.
Stena said Bluesoul has had a collaboration agreement with the Stena group for more than a year.
“By installing scrubbers, we will be well equipped to meet the 2020 regulation and are protected from price volatility as well as fuel shortage," said CEO Erik Hanell.
"In relation to market developments, today’s market predictions are attractive in theory and currently seems to be so in practice too, despite there being a couple of parameters that remain uncertain.
"However, there are opportunities already available today to lock in some of the uncertainty, which might be appealing when looking for a more secure investment. We are very happy to be able to confirm this order with Bluesoul, which has performed very well in terms of quality compared with more reputable manufacturers.”
The scrubbers are open-loop hybrid-ready types, with water cleaning, which not only remove the sulphur but also particles from the exhaust.
On Monday, the Scorpio group confirmed scrubber deals for 146 ships.
