Damen has become the first shipyard to achieve official EU Stage V certification for its in-house developed emissions reduction system.

With many Damen vessels operating in harbours and waterways that are close to or within urban areas, the group recognised that it had an obligation to develop an emission reduction system to address the health issues present by the particulate matter emitted by diesel engines as well as the environmental impacts resulting from excess nitrogen oxides.

The Damen Emission Reduction System (ERS) is a one-system-solution that combines soot filters with a selective catalytic reduction system to remove particulate matter (measured by both mass and the number of particles, the latter to ensure that the fine particles are reduced as well) and NOx as they leave the engine and before they enter the atmosphere. It also delivers substantial noise reduction that averages 45 dB(A). With this achievement, Damen can now offer its clients a proven emission reduction system that meet the requirements of the IMO Tier III, ULEV and EU stage V regulations.

The Damen ERS is a proven product designed for both primary and auxiliary engines generating between 300 and 700kW of output. Sea-going vessels equipped with it are eligible for obtaining the Ultra Low Emission Vessel classification notation. The development of the EU Stage V system began in 2017, following Damen achieving certification for its NOx reduction system to comply with IMO Tier III emissions regulations.

“It has taken six years to reach this point, but our ERS goes beyond the parameters set by the regulators to ensure that they are robust and flexible,” said Raymond Watson, Technology Specialist Aftertreatment Systems at Damen. “For example, they are designed to work with all standard fuels to ensure worldwide operability, and their modular design means that they can be installed on all types of vessels and matched to the specific operating profile of each.”