The next tier of MARPOL, the regulations covering maritime pollution, have been in force since the 1st of January, 2015. In emission control areas (ECAs), the permissible sulphur content of marine fuels has been lowered from the former level of 1 % to 0.1 %. KRAL AG is prepared for the running of three screw pumps with low-sulphur fuels. Even before this new MARPOL tier came into force, there was an EU regulation stipulating that ships operating in EU harbours are prohibited from running fuel with a sulphur content greater than 0.1 %. This rule has been in place since 2010.

KRAL research and development has been actively working on this issue since that time. Even then it was clear that a multi-tiered plan for the reduction of sulphur content in fuels would be needed.

Expansion as of January of 2015.
KRAL is ready for the next tier of the MARPOL regulations. EU harbours and ECA are clearly not the same thing. Due to the fact that KRAL could fulfil the sulphur content requirements specified in the EU guidelines of 2010, only one question remained: could KRAL three screw pumps operate with low-sulfur fuels at 0.1 % for the long-term i.e., over extended operating times. After extensive testing, KRAL can answer the question with a definitive “yes”. In the meantime, KRAL has gained a lot of operational experience in working with marine fuels having a sulphur content of 0.1 %. That translates to reliability. The extensive research and work of the KRAL experts is also underpinned by our independently developed software application that provides information on whether a three screw pump is suitable for a specific delivery rate, rotation speed, temperature, viscosity and also sulphur content.

No Cost Service.
To address these new laws, KRAL is offering a no fee servicing so we would like to contact ship owners and operators. Perhaps you have some concerns about the three screw pumps you currently have installed, or you have questions about whether your pumps are ready to meet the requirements that have been in place since January. KRAL is here to help. KRAL customers can simply check the serial number from the rating plate and send it to us. If you don’t have KRAL three screw pumps installed, please send us the type of pump that you’re using. From that information, we’ll be able to provide you with expert recommendations.