Martek Marine has delivered a sophisticated emissions monitoring system for marine use to Daewoo for the world’s largest Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU). The 173,400m3 vessel, which can also function as an LNG carrier, is due for delivery in May 2014 when it will be deployed in Brazil.

The equipment monitors (Nitrogen Oxide) NOx, Sulphur Oxide (SOx), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon (CO) and Methane (CH4); Total Hydrocarbons; Non Methane Hydrocarbons; Benzene; Nitrous Oxide (N2O) and particulates. It is unique for a system to measure so many different emissions, and Benzene and N2O are only monitored very rarely. Martek has used specialist analysis techniques to measure Benzene at levels below 1 part per million.

Steve Austwick, Martek’s emissions monitoring expert and project manager, said: “This is the biggest and most complex system ever built in the marine industry. The fact that no other supplier was prepared to take on this project underpins our position as the market leader”.

Martek expects to build more complex monitoring systems as the European Union pushes for emissions monitoring legislation for the maritime industry. Another factor will be Emissions Control Areas (ECA) coming into force and, later, tightening their requirements. The first ECA, in North America and covering ships trading off the coasts of Canada and the United States, came into effect on 1 August 2012 and enforces stricter controls on SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions. North America is the third functioning ECA, the others restrict only Sulphur Dioxide and they are in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea areas. A fourth is due to come into force in the Caribbean Sea on January 1 2014.

If these ECAs are successful, and there is every reason to expect they will be, it is highly likely that other countries will push for similar protection.