Yara International ASA and the Wilhelmsen Maritime Services (WMS) subsidiary of Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA are creating the Yarwil joint venture, and will use this vehicle to launch environmental solutions for the maritime market. This commitment will help to reduce emissions in the shipping sector, and improve both the environment and human health. Yarwil will be owned 50-50 by Yara and WMS.
“We are Europe’s leading producer of environmental products for NOx treatment, and already remove more NOx than Norway’s total emissions of these substances,” says Thorleif Enger, President and CEO of Yara International ASA. “NOx treatment is already one of our fastest growing markets, with a 35% increase in the first half of 2007. Through the cooperation with Wilhelmsen, we’re expanding our commitment to deNOx for the maritime sector, which we see has a big potential.”
NOx comprises gases harmful to human health and the environment which form during the combustion of fossil fuels. Yara’s product solution could cut such emissions from ships by 95%. “The air will be cleaner because two major Norwegian industrial companies are forming an innovative partnership and jointly confronting the environmental challenges facing the maritime industry,” says group chief executive Ingar Skaug in Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA. “WMS’s unique global network makes it possible for us to supply our environment-friendly products to end-users worldwide.”
The NOx removal process involves a known catalytic technology used today in land-based industry and transport, and on a number of coastal cargo vessels in Norway and Sweden.
This concept is based on adding a special quality of urea solution to the hot exhaust fumes from the ship’s engines. The mix then passes through a catalytic converter where NOx from the exhausts reacts with the urea solution and is turned into harmless water vapour and nitrogen. Yarwil’s technology will initially cover that part of the maritime market in which NOx emissions are governed by official regulations.
In the short term, this means vessels engaged in trades typically conducted close to land, such as ferries, fishing vessels and supply ships. Cruise liners will also employ the technology. It is currently possible to remove NOx emissions from diesel generators on large ocean-going vessels, but technology tailored to their propulsion machinery remains under development and will not be available until some time in the future.
Yarwil’s deNOx solution makes it easier for government agencies and ship owners to meet future international environmental commitments. Norway, for instance, is committed under the Gothenburg protocol to reduce its annual NOx emissions to a maximum of 156 000 tonnes by 2010. That calls for a cut of 45 000 tonnes per year, and Yarwil’s deNOx technology will make it possible to reach this goal.
To meet the environmental challenges faced by the maritime sector, Yarwil intends to expand its product range to embrace other solutions for reducing emissions from ships, such as sulphur oxides.
Yara International ASA is a leading chemicals company which converts energy and nitrogen from the air into essential products for farmers and industrial companies. As the world’s largest supplier of mineral fertiliser and agronomic solutions, the company helps to secure food for the world’s growing population. Its industrial portfolio includes environmental products which protect clean air and water and preserve food quality. Yara’s international workforce of more than 7 000 people represent substantial diversity and talent, which permits the company to remain the leading player in its industry. For further details, see www.yara.com.
Wilh. Wilhelmsen is a leading global maritime industrial group. It has 13 300 employees in its wholly-owned companies and employs 23 000 people when joint ventures are included. WW’s wholly-owned companies have 352 offices in 71 countries. These figures rise to 516 offices and 79 countries with joint ventures included. For further details, see www.wilhelmsen.com.
Wilhelmsen Maritime Services AS (WMS) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Wilh. Wilhelmsen group. It occupies a leading position in the global maritime service industry, and works through four business areas: Barwil Unitor Ships Service, Barber Ship Management, Unitor Ships Equipment, and Maritime Solutions & Financial Services. The company has 4 700 employees working from 352 offices in 71 nations. Through its global network, WMS has the capacity to deliver products and services in 2 200 ports in 116 countries.
Further information from:
Dag Schjerven, president and CEO, Wilhelmsen Maritime Services AS
Telephone +47 67 58 47 07
Tor Øiseth, vice president, Wilhelmsen Maritime Services AS
Telephone +47 95 07 00 51
Bjørg Ekornrud, communications manager, Wilhelmsen Maritime Services AS
Telephone +47 67 58 43 19
Mobile +47 93 03 24 34
E-mail bjoerg.ekornrud@wilhelmsen.com
Hamed Brodersen, media relations, Yara International ASA
Mobile +47 40 46 81 10
E-mail hamed.mozaffari.brodersen@yara.com
Torgeir Kvidal, investor relations, Yara International ASA
Telephone +47 24 15 72 95
Mobile +47 91 33 98 32
E-mail torgeir.kvidal@yara.com