IMO Tier III (NOx) Regulations: Are you ready for 2021?

The year 2021 is a big one for our industry. The new IMO Tier III regulations will come into force for all vessels above 24 metres with a combined propulsion power of more than 750 kW and/or generator engines above 129 bkW, and which have had their keel laying after 1 January 2021.

They will set NOx emission limitations to all vessels wishing to sail in the Nitrogen Emission Control Areas (NECAs) North America, US Caribbean, Baltic Sea and the North Sea. If you are planning a refit it is important to remember that the IMO Tier IIII certification will also apply when an engine is replaced by a new and more powerful one.

Larger vessels

As a superyacht exhaust specialist, MarQuip is already supporting various clients looking to ensure they are future-ready. For vessels above 500 GT, we have identified several good solutions originating from both engine manufacturers and after-treatment specialists. A major advantage of larger vessels is the fact that they have more available space. This is relevant given that the IMO TIER III (NOx) solutions (SCR) are relatively bulky due to the NOx reduction mechanism and the need to keep backpressure (maximum resistance) of the engine’s exhaust to a certain maximum.

It affects us all

Until now it has only been owners and builders of superyachts over 500GT that were concerned with these issues, but from 2021 all that will change. SCR after-treatment systems will need to be installed on all vessels, many of which have much smaller engine rooms.

At MarQuip we have noticed that many of the yards building boats between 24 and 50 metres seem unaware of the major impact these new regulations are about to have on their designs and cost calculations. Most appear to believe that engine manufacturers will have to deliver an IMO Tier III engine, thereby solving the issue for them.

Unfortunately, this is not the case: compliance with IMO Tier III regulations will be determined at the level of the vessel itself, not just the engine per se. Moreover, a lot of engine manufacturers are already deploying standard solutions based on land applications and not necessarily adapted for marine use.

Advice and solutions

Most after-treatment specialists can also assist with delivering a loose SCR with IMO Tier III certification for many engine brands and types. We recommend that you hire a system integrator to check and guarantee that all loose components fit together neatly and jointly satisfy requirements in terms of variables like space, maximum allowable backpressure, noise reduction and suitability for marine use.

Choosing the right engine in combination with the smallest and most flexible after-treatment system will certainly place you at the cutting edge of engine room layout. And smaller engine rooms free up room on a boat for accommodation space, which is good for everyone.

MarQuip is ready for 2021 and we would be pleased to ensure that you are too. If you require help or guidance of any kind, do not hesitate to get in touch.