Videotel preparing shipowners for new ECA limits

The following is the text of a news release from Videotel:

(LONDON) — Videotel, a KVH company, has recently produced two new programs designed to help shipowners meet progressively tighter fuel and emission controls, including a limit that will go into effect from Jan. 1, 2015.

Shipowners and ship managers need to be aware that the MARPOL Annex VI limits applicable in Emission Control Areas (ECAs) for sulfur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter, having already been reduced to 1 percent in 2010, are being further reduced to just 0.10 percent, effective from Jan. 1, 2015.

Videotel’s “MARPOL Annex VI Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships, Edition 2” focuses on ways that shipowners can reduce the main air pollutants contained in exhaust gas through engine design, tuning and maintenance. Procedural guidelines for incinerator use are also described and the need for training is emphasized.

The program also covers new MARPOL Annex VI regulations concerning the management of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) which prohibit deliberate venting of ODS often found in air conditioning, refrigeration and firefighting systems.

Furthermore, Videotel has also produced “The Practical Management and Switching of Marine Fuels” program, specifically designed to provide a practical guide to what is required of officers and engineers to process fuel oil from the bunker tank to the engine.

The program addresses MARPOL Annex VI and emphasizes the importance of monitoring every stage of filtering and purification to ensure the most efficient combustion is achieved, cleanly and economically. Topics include marine fuel oils; bunkering; storage and settling tanks; centrifuge; heaters and filters; fuel combustion; fuel switching; planning; and temperature and viscosity control.

“It is vital that shipowners and ship managers are aware of, and comply with the ever tightening of limits set by MARPOL Annex VI. Our programs are designed to help them make this transition and avoid potentially serious issues when switching marine fuels,” explains Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel.

Both programs are available in DVD, Videotel on Demand (VOD), VOD online, and eLearning Computer Based Training (CBT). All are accompanied by a PDF workbook which highlights key learning points.

By Professional Mariner Staff