Vessel Information Vessel Name APL Singapore Ship type Post-Panamax Container ship Flag United States Built 1995 Gross Tonnage 64,502 TEU Capacity 5,108 TEU Length/Breadth/Depth 863’ / 131’ / 66’ Engine Information Engine MAN B&W Model 11K90MC-C Type 2-Stroke Engine Power  66,398 hp

Source: http://www.sailors.org

The APL SINGAPORE currently operates on APL’s PS2 (Asia to North America) route. The eastbound and westbound routes are shown below. For more information on APL routes see: http://www.apl.com/routes/

 

Emission Control Technologies

Two emission control technologies will be installed on the main engine of the APL SINGAPORE for use on California calls: a fuel/ water emulsion system and slide-valves. Water in fuel emulsion is the process of introducing water into the fuel prior to injection into the combustion cylinder. Introducing water into the combustion cylinder reduces the maximum peak combustion temperature and the formation of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). The in-cylinder evaporation of the water also improves the atomization of the fuel causing it to burn more completely. This system will be installed and connected to the ship’s main engine and is expected to yield a 1% reduction in NOx for every 1% concentration of water in the emulsion. Different concentrations of water will be tested to determine the emulsion level that best reduces emissions. NOx reductions up to 25% are expected from this control technology.

Particulate Matter (PM) is a product of incomplete combustion, and un-burnt fuel; therefore the optimization of the fuel injection system is expected to result in the reduction of fuel consumption and a reduction of PM emissions. Slide valves will be installed on the vessel’s main engine and differ from conventional valves in their spray patterns that are designed to reduce the dripping of fuel from the injector into the combustion zone post injection. The slide valves are expected to reduce PM emissions by about 25%.

Funding

The funding for this project will come from a number of different agencies. In 2005, the APCD supported an application by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) for funding from the CARB Multi-district Carl Moyer funding program. The application was successful in securing grant funds that, when combined with the EPA contribution will cover the purchase and installation of the control technology, allowing the other funds to be used to cover the emissions testing costs.

The emissions testing is an essential part of this project needed to determine the actual air pollution reduction benefits and the effectiveness of the control technologies. In an effort to expedite the testing coordination process, APCD staff volunteered to accept funding from project partners and contract with the emissions testing contractors selected for the project. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in addition to the Ventura County, San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County APCDs will be contributing funds towards the testing portion of the project. The installation of the emulsification equipment will be completed in early 2007 and the emissions testing will begin in March/April 2007.

APL Media Event aboard the APL SINGAPORE: December 4, 2006

Speaker panel for the APL media event (from left to right): Eric Hutchingame – Sea to Sky Pollution Solutions; John Bowe – President of APL (Americas); Wayne Nastri – US EPA Region 9 Regional Administrator; Mike Zampa – APL Director of Corporate Communications (Americas); Jean Roggenkamp – BAAQMD Deputy APCO; and Dr. Wayne Miller – UC Riverside, Emissions and Fuels Manager.

View from the bridge of the APL SINGAPORE

APCD Visit to the APL Singapore October 15, 2007

On October 15, 2007 Tom Murphy, Ron Tan and Anthony Fournier from the APCD visited the APL SINGAPORE at the Port of Los Angeles. The vessel had just returned from its voyage across the Pacific. On this voyage, an emissions testing crew studied the emissions characteristics of the vessel’s main engine and auxiliary engine under different conditions (including the use of emulsified fuels in the main engine).

During the visit to the ship APCD staff witnessed the installation of some of the slide valves that were purchased as part of the demonstration project to reduce emissions. The emission testing was to continue as the vessel departed Los Angeles for Oakland, at which point the emissions testing crew would depart the vessel. See below for pictures from the visit. Emissions test results have not been finalized yet.

Ron Tan and Tom Murphy on the top floor of three floors of the APL Singapore's main engine

Inspecting the water emulsification control unit

Old fuel injector removed New slide valve fuel injector installed

Photos below from emissions testing setup on the exhaust stack of the APL Singapore's main engine

For more information...

View December 4, 2006 presentation by Eric Hutchingame of Sea to Sky Pollution Solutions here.

View APL media release of December 4, 2006 on APL's website here.

 

Selected articles on the project (not a complete listing)

Los Angeles Times December 5, 2006, "Shipper to Test System to Cut Emissions" on the paper's website here.

Wall Street Journal, December 2006, "Shipper APL Adapts Fuel Use For California Ports" online here.

Tom Murphy, Technology and Environmental Assessment Division Manager, 805-961-8857 Dr. Ron Tan, Planning & Technology Supervisor, 805-961-8812 Innovative Technologies Group email: ITG@sbcapcd.org