Van Oord is taking a next step to further reduce emissions on its fleet. A series of advanced selective catalytic reduction systems has been installed successfully on cable-laying vessel Nexus by Damen Shipyards Group.

Five SCR units have been installed on the Nexus, one for each engine. SCR is an advanced emissions control technology. It contains a catalytic converter behind the engine which reduces nitrogen (NOx) emissions to an absolute minimum. It works by a catalyst which reacts with injected urea, chemically removing NOx from the vessel’s exhaust emissions. With this upgrade, the Nexus is now fully IMO Tier III compliant.

Van Oord is committed to reduce emissions and becoming net-zero, leading to a better, more sustainable world for future generations. To realise this, we are assessing our existing fleet and determining the right modifications for optimising energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The investment in the installation of the SCR systems on the Nexus is an excellent example of this strategy.

As the original builder of Nexus, Damen Shipyards Group was well-positioned to carry out this retrofit project. Their compact SCR system proved to be an efficient solution, allowing for seamless integration within the vessel’s existing design. Given the spatial constraints on board, choosing a system that maximised performance while minimising impact on operational space was essential.