INVESTMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE FOR MEDITERRANEAN ROUTE NETWORK
DFDS will in 2019 invest DKK 300m to install scrubbers on 12 freight ferries deployed on freight routes in the Mediterranean between Turkey, Italy, Greece and France. The investment will ensure compliance with the new global rules that from 2020 aims to reduce sulphur emissions through limiting sulphur content in marine fuel oil to 0.5% or through other means, such as scrubbers, with at least a similar environmental effect.
The investment decision is based on the scrubber strategy that was applied in 2015 for the transition to the 0.1% sulphur content limit for DFDS' ferry route network in northern Europe. This strategy has proven to be a success from both an environmental, operational and business perspective.
"We are happy to already now start preparing for complying with the new limit on sulphur content in emissions in the Mediterranean. This will bring environmental benefits for all. By applying DFDS' extensive experience of procuring, installing and operating scrubber systems we are achieving both operational and financial synergies," says Niels Smedegaard, CEO of DFDS.
In line with DFDS' CSR policy and to comply with IMO's (International Maritime Organisation) upcoming regulation, hybrid scrubbers were chosen as the optimal solution for the fleet in the Mediterranean. The use of scrubbers will bring health and environmental benefits, particularly for people living close to ports and coastlines.
The 12 scrubbers will be supplied by ME Production, a Danish developer and manufacturer of customised emission reduction systems for marine applications, that DFDS has cooperated with previously.