The following is the text of a news release from Horizon Lines Inc.:
(CHARLOTTE, N.C.) (Jan. 9) — Horizon Lines Inc. today announced it has received a permit providing a conditional waiver from the North American Emission Control Area (ECA) fuel sulfur content requirements of MARPOL Annex VI regulation 14.4. The permit is in force while Horizon pursues installation of an exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS) on each of its three D7-class vessels which operate in the Alaska trade.
The permit was issued by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and became effective in 2015. The permit will allow these Horizon vessels to use low-sulfur heavy fuel oil in their main engines while operating between Washington state and Alaska, subject to compliance with other terms and restrictions of the permit. Horizon is committed to operating its vessels and terminals in accordance with all environmental regulations, and continuing to serve its customers in the most efficient and reliable means possible.
Further, Horizon has entered into a supply agreement with Alfa Laval Aalborg Nijmegen BV for design and procurement of the PureSox 2.0 EGCS for the three Horizon D7-class vessels which operate in the Alaska trade. This Alfa Laval EGCS is a multiple inlet hybrid system which will clean the exhaust gas from the main engine as well as the main generators, and is the first system of its kind for a Jones Act container vessel. Horizon expects to incur a total of approximately $18 million of capital spending in connection with the EGCS for the three vessels. Installation of the first system is planned to begin on the Horizon Kodiak in September 2015, and completion of the project is expected by Dec. 31, 2016.
This EGCS project represents a significant investment for Horizon and will be developed and installed in close coordination with Alfa Laval, the American Bureau of Shipping, and the U.S. regulatory agencies. Horizon values the partnership with the EPA and the USCG in supporting the advancement of this exhaust gas cleaning systems project, and looks forward to sharing the knowledge and experience gained during the evolution of this project with the maritime industry.
