Chemical and products tanker company Ardmore Shipping Corporation has placed an order for Value Maritime’s emissions-reducing Filtree system, including the Clean Loop system, for an initial six medium-range (MR) tankers.
Aligning with Ardmore’s energy transition ambitions, the tankers will be made Carbon Capture ready for collecting CO2 emissions onboard in the future. Taking place during regularly scheduled drydocks, the Filtree units will be installed in yards in Europe and Asia. Timing installations in this way ensures zero disruption to the commercial activities of Ardmore’s vessels.
Cleaning the air & the seas
The Filtree system is based on innovative technology that will filter sulphur, CO2 and 99% of ultra-fine particulate matter from the tankers’ exhaust stream. The system uses a Clean Loop mechanism which additionally filters its own washing water, removing oil residues and particulate matter, ensuring the pH neutral value of the water and contributing to reduced acidification of seas and rivers.
Bridging the transition
Ardmore Shipping is looking for sustainable solutions for its fleet, now and for the future. Due to the Filtree system’s removal of sulphur from the exhaust gas flow, Ardmore can cut its emissions today while continuing to sail with more cost-effective high-sulphur fuel. Additionally, this positively affects the vessel's performance and maintenance requirements. As a direct result, the Filtree system offers a rapid return on investment.
A better future for shipping
Through its Energy Transition Plan (ETP), Ardmore has set the target of playing a pivotal role in the industry’s goal to reach net-zero emissions. To achieve this, Ardmore is finding technologies that promote the roll-out and short-term implementation of alternative fuels, as well as identifying and implementing fuel efficiency technologies that lead the way to a sustainable future for the tanker industry.
Garry Noonan, Director of Innovation - Ardmore Shipping “In terms of technology, we believe strongly in working with technical and commercial partners to develop solutions addressing the energy transition. As we embrace what could be referred to as the next generation in exhaust gas cleaning system technology, Value Maritime’s Filtree is unique in its ability to not only clean and neutralize overboard discharge, but also offer an additional benefit in the form of a potential carbon capture upgrade, this allows us flexibility today, while future-proofing our vessels for tomorrow in an economical and efficient way.”
The next generation of efficiency technologies
Value Maritime has designed the Filtree as a plug and play system. The Filtree system to be installed on the Ardmore tankers will be outfitted with a modular CO2 capture and storage system to help reduce further emissions when this becomes viable. With this, CO2 is captured from a vessel's exhaust and stored in tanks onboard. This is then discharged onshore where it can be used, for example, in the sustainable cultivation of greenhouse crops, methanol plants, and even the food industry.
Yvette van der Sommen, Director Asia Pacific - Value Maritime: “We are already enjoying our collaboration with the team at Ardmore Shipping. Like us, they are always thinking of new ways to stay ahead and achieve substantial emissions savings to unlock further potential for greener operations. Integrating our technology into their suite of sustainable solutions means their fleet can make an impact from day one of sailing with the Filtree.”
Value Maritime
Value Maritime’s vision is to dramatically decrease the environmental footprint of shipping and significantly contribute to improving the overall sustainability of the maritime industry. Since 2017, their technology has been helping shipowners and operators to increase their competitiveness by achieving valuable emission reductions and financial savings.
Value Maritime is a fast-growing and innovative company that is sustainable by nature with a team that is dedicated to making an impact.
Ardmore Shipping Corporation
Ardmore owns and operates a fleet of MR product and chemical tankers ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 deadweight tonnes. Ardmore provides, through its modern, fuel-efficient fleet of mid-size tankers, seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies.
Ardmore's core strategy is to continue to develop a modern, high-quality fleet of product and chemical tankers, build key long-term commercial relationships and maintain its cost advantage in assets, operations and overhead, while creating synergies and economies of scale as the company grows. Ardmore provides its services to customers through voyage charters, commercial pools, and time charters, and enjoys close working relationships with key commercial and technical management partners.
Ardmore's Energy Transition Plan (ETP) focusses on three key areas: transition technologies, transition projects, and sustainable (non-fossil fuel) cargos. The ETP is an extension of Ardmore's strategy, building on its core strengths of tanker chartering, shipping operations, technical and operational fuel efficiency improvements, technical management, construction supervision, project management, investment analysis, and ship finance.
Ardmore has established Ardmore Ventures as Ardmore's holding company for existing and future potential investments related to the ETP and completed its first projects under the plan in June 2021.
