Ground-breaking Rotterdam degassing project in testing

09.12.2021
In cooperation with Greenpoint, Odfjell is currently running a degassing project in Rotterdam. Although still in the trial and testing phase, this is a promising opportunity and another step towards a greener and more sustainable shipping industry.

When calling Rotterdam, chemical tankers are not allowed to ventilate crude benzene in the port. To solve this, our Marine Support Group (MSG) took the initiative to a project in partnership with March Freriks, general manager at Greenpoint, a Rotterdam-based company specializing in advanced gas and vapour emission treatment solutions. 
 

A simple concept with major effects

​​​​The concept is as easy as it is efficient:

  • Each trailer has four engines with a capacity of 140 M3 each, so a total 560 M3 per hour.
  • The engine is a regular V8 mustang engine running on LPG and gradually switches over to the Crude benzene gas (flammable gases) for running of the engine.
  • This process is done by connecting a 6” hose on the vessel’s manifold to the engines
  • The gas is then sucked from the cargo tanks into the engine.
  • This process goes on until there is no more gas left in the tank, and the engines go back to PLG for feedstock again.

The target is to get the cargo tank smell-free and the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) below 10%. When this is achieved, commercial cleaning and ventilation can start without giving any benzene gas or smell to the atmosphere.
 

Reducing cost and emissions

The alternative for Odfjell is to go out with the vessel to do the cleaning/gas freeing. The time for shifting in and out, the time outside and for bunkering means an extra cost of approx. USD 60’, not to mention the added emissions to the port area.

"I am so proud of what this collaboration has accomplished, and together with DCMR, Port of Rotterdam, Green Point Maritime, Euro Nordic Logistics and STR we were degassing a deep sea tanker from crude benzene for the second time in the Netherlands. A vision for the future and enthusiasm with safety and the environment at number one is what enabled this."

Willy Thorsen, Manager Port Performance


The first test was carried out on Bow Architect, the second on Bow Compass. If the continued testing shows the expected solid results, the partners will work for a full implementation of this solution in 2022.