IMO Tier III regulations centre stage for MarQuip at the Monaco Yacht Show

With the date on which IMO Tier III regulations come into force for all superyachts fast approaching, suppliers such as MarQuip are increasingly in demand. This year’s Monaco Yacht Show will set the stage for the Dutch experts in exhaust systems and silencers for the industrial, energy and marine markets to showcase its unrivalled solutions and know-how.

The IMO Tier III regulations stipulate that nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions must be some 70% lower than those permitted under the Tier II rules. These latest standards have applied to large vessels built in or after 2016 which are intended to sail the world’s major sailing areas, and will come into force for all superyachts from 2021 onwards.

New challenges

While this eco-friendly measure has been applauded by the boating community, it will create many new challenges for the builders and operators of yacht engines. Boats on the smaller side will be subject to particular constraints – in most cases it will not be enough to just tune the engine, with a combination of new techniques and technologies required instead.

The problem is essentially one of size. “After-treatment units are heavy and bulky, and smaller yachts have smaller engine rooms,” explains Jeroen van der Matten, MarQuip’s general manager of operations. “On larger boats, engine manufacturers are producing engines with standardised after-treatment. This has the added value of allowing producers to deal with a single supplier, and facilitates certification, servicing and warranty issues.”

Thinking outside the box

“With yachts below 500 GT, however, there will often not be enough space for these standard solutions,” Van der Matten points out. “This is where MarQuip can provide serious added value: we can deliver custom solutions that will fit each engine room, and we have the capability to combine a silencer and an after-treatment system in a single unit – both things that engine manufacturers cannot.”

Thanks to its many years of experience and unrivalled expertise in yacht exhaust systems, MarQuip is well placed to respond to these challenges with a selection of innovative solutions. The company has experience in a wide range of custom exhaust projects and is particularly good at merging existing components with its own solutions.

Future-proof

MarQuip looks resolutely to the future. “We would like to challenge engine manufacturers to come up with better options and better solutions,” Van der Matten continues. “Normally engines and after-treatment units are delivered as big standardised boxes and that’s it – more often than not they will be slightly adapted versions of solutions originally designed for onshore applications. This may work for tankers or large commercial vessels, but is a far cry from what many owners of smaller yachts need. The industry could benefit from a more maritime-centric perspective.

“There are not yet any superyachts on the water with the latest after-treatment systems; they are mostly still being built. The first problems will come up – and be managed – over the coming few years. We are already seeing a lot of discussions about factors such as which materials to use and the best ways to tackle corrosion. These are all new topics, new problems and new challenges. In partnership with its customers and partners, MarQuip stands ready to provide the solutions.”

2018 Monaco Yacht Show

MarQuip will have a representation without a fixed stand at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, which will take place from 26 to 29 September. The company’s team will be on hand to discuss the IMO Tier III regulations and their implications for the period beyond 2021, as well as other new developments and projects