Business
Algoma Central Corporation To Install New Technology to Scrub Out Air Emissions
(TSX : ALC) TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Algoma Central Corporation ("Algoma"), the...
About this update from Algoma Central Corporation
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\n\n\n(TSX : ALC)\n\n\nTORONTO, Jan. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Algoma Central Corporation (\"Algoma\"),\n the largest Canadian shipowner and operator of domestic, Great Lakes\n vessels, will install fresh water, exhaust gas scrubbers on six new\n vessels that will remove 97% of sulphur oxides emissions generated by\n vessel engines.\n\n\nThe St. Catharines, Ontario-based company has signed a contract with\n Wärtsilä Ship Power for the supply of the systems for its Equinox Class vessels, which are currently being built by Chinese shipbuilder Nantong\n Mingde Heavy Industry Co. Ltd. The total supply and installation cost\n of the six scrubber systems is US$12 million.\n\n\nThe two gearless bulk carriers and four self-unloading bulk carriers are\n designed specifically for Great Lakes service. These ships have been\n designed with high efficiency hulls that will require less horsepower\n to achieve higher speeds than any previous Great Lakes design and thus\n achieve the lowest fuel consumption and emissions per tonne/kilometre\n of cargo carried.  The first Equinox Class vessel will arrive in Canada in the first half of 2013.\n\n\nThe Algoma order is the first for Wärtsilä's new, integrated, fresh\n water, exhaust gas scrubber design. The scrubbers are designed to clean\n the exhaust gases of the vessels' main and auxiliary engines as well as\n the oil-fired boiler and will meet more stringent environmental\n regulations taking effect over the next three years.\n\n\nThese scrubber systems will allow shipowners to use lower cost, heavy\n fuel oils while, at the same time, meet the new Emission Control Area\n sulphur limits established by the International Maritime Organization\n (IMO) and adopted by Canada and the United States for the Great Lakes\n and coastal waters.  Without scrubber technology, shipowners will be\n forced to convert vessels to burn more expensive diesel oil.\n\n\n\"The installation of scrubber units on our Equinox Class vessels fits with our stated strategic objective of improving the\n efficiency of our fleet while at the same time reducing our\n environmental footprint\" says Greg Wight, President and CEO, Algoma\n Central Corporation.\n\n\n\"These are truly important vessels as they will set new standards for\n environmentally sustainable shipping on the Great Lakes and for cargo\n...