MENU Sitemap Language Contact Sign in Press room >News >Södra manages the new ... 2014-09-05 09:03 Södra complies with the new sulfur directive On 1 January 2015, new EU legislation will enter into force concerning maritime freight within the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel, which constitute the Sulfur Emission Control Area (SECA). The rules mean that you must reduce your sulfur emissions sharply. Södra has chosen a technical solution for its time-chartered vessels that use so-called dry scrubbing. This is seen as the most environmentally friendly method of reducing sulfur emissions. When the directive enters into force on 1 January 2015, the EU's new regulation on sulfur in marine fuels will create unfair conditions on the market. Vessels within the SECA area must reduce the sulfur content of their fuel from 1.0% to 0.1%, while vessels operating in other European waters may use fuels with a sulfur content of 3.5% until 2020 when the limit is lowered to 0.5 %. We who are affected by the new rules have two alternatives. The first is to replace the heavy oil with distillate or marine diesel oil (MGO). MGO is similar to diesel and has a lower sulfur content than the heavy oil used by most ships. However, diesel oil is much more expensive, which could lead to freight prices rising by 20-45%, or around € 10 per tonne of pulp (CEPI estimates). The environmental benefits of reducing the sulfur content from 1.0% to 0.1% are also questionable, as it means increased emissions at refineries and higher costs for maritime transport, which will lead to increased road transport and higher greenhouse gas emissions. This is another reason why Södra does not choose this alternative. The second option is to treat the exhaust gases before they reach the air. There are two ways to do this. One is so-called wet scrubbing, which means that the exhaust gases are treated with water and caustic soda before they are released into the sea (no perfect solution) or by taking care of the residual products and then handling them as hazardous waste on land. Another solution is dry scrubbing, where the sulfur in the exhaust gases is absorbed by lime granules and recycled in the form of gypsum, in a closed process. Södra prefers this technology because the absorbed substance (sulfur) is converted into a new raw material (gypsum) which can then be used in, for example, the construction industry. So far, not many companies have chosen this relatively new technology, but Södra believes that it is the right way to go - from both the environmental and the commercial perspective. Södra has therefore signed an agreement with our shipping company, Reederei Rörd Braren in Germany, on the installation of treatment equipment so that Södra complies with the directive. "For our customers, this technology means that they can be confident that our vessels will fully comply with the new rules when they enter into force. We take environmental issues very seriously and do not compromise. We consider this to be the most environmentally efficient and cost-effective solution. ", says Jonas Larsson, Head of Customer Supply, Södra Cell. Subject: Environment, Transport Labels: logistics , sustainability , transport Share this page Facebook twitter Google bookmarks LinkedIn Press contact Phone number: 0470-89 090 Email: press@sodra.com Södra on social media Movies on Youtube Södra on Twitter Södra on Linkedin Södra on Facebook Subscribe RSS CUSTOMER NETWORKS AND PORTALS The store's store House from Trivselhus House online from Movehome The production portal PulpServices Online Södra's forest owner network Website interior products Website sawn wood products CAREER To search for jobs Free jobs Södra as an employer Added value for employees South on Facebook Södra on LinkedIn ABOUT THE SOUTH Business idea and strategy Annual reports Movies on youtube Management and board Southern history PRESS Press contact Press releases Södra's newsletter Press photos © Södra 2016