La Méridionale Shipyard Launches New Environmentally Friendly Ferry Capable of Eliminating 99.9% of Fine and Ultrafine Particles from Emissions.
(Video: AFP)
In response to accusations of environmental pollution, the maritime transport industry is striving to change its image. On September 5, a zero-emission ferry began operations on the route between Marseille and Bastia in France.
According to La Méridionale, the manufacturer, this massive vessel employs an advanced baghouse filter directly connected to the smokestacks, described as the first system of its kind on a maritime vessel.
“We didn’t have to look far or invent anything new. It’s a system, a process that has been used in most industrial waste incineration plants, municipal waste, and biomass power plants. Baghouse filters have been around for nearly 30 years. So, the challenge for us was to adapt it to the maritime sector in terms of size and volume, figuring out how to install it on a ship while considering space and stability issues,” said Christophe Ceguinot, Technical Director of La Méridionale.
La Méridionale’s zero-emission ferry.
The black smoke and sulfur smell emitted from ferries and cruise ships have poisoned the lives of Marseille residents for years. Integrating the advanced baghouse filter into the smokestack allows the vessel to eliminate up to 99.9% of fine and ultrafine particles while also reducing sulfur oxide emissions.
Specifically, sulfur and fine particles released from the engine will be neutralized by sodium bicarbonate and then passed through the filter. The resulting solid waste is collected in recycling tanks. Consequently, no greenhouse gases or sulfur waste are released into the environment.
