Norway’s Bastø Fosen I ferry is the first commissioned vessel with a globally certified International Maritime Organization (IMO) Tier III compliant marine engine that does not need urea based after treatment.

It is powered by GE’s Marine Solutions 16V250MDC, a 16-cylinder engine, and is certified to meet both IMO Tier III and EPA Tier 4 emission standards, reducing key emissions by more than 70%.

Øyvind Lund, CEO of Bastø Fosen, said: “We are very satisfied with the installation and commissioning process of the GE diesel engine on board Bastø I. Particularly that the engine is certified to IMO III emission levels without the use of SCR and urea.”

The GE medium speed engine with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology provides a number of benefits over urea based systems for the Bastø Fosen I ferry.

It saves engine room space by eliminating the need for a separate SCR system and urea storage tanks. This preserves space for valuable cargo, accommodation, fuel, water and oil tanks.

It also minimises operating expenses (urea based systems can add 5-8% of fuel expenses) and maximises engine efficiency and load response with a ramp up from idle to full load of about 15 seconds.

Lund added: “The engine runs very smoothly and has fast load response which in our ferry service is of critical importance. We look forward to many years of continued dedicated service of Bastø I with her new GE engine. Bastø II will be repowered later this year with a similar GE 16V250 MDC diesel engine.”

The Bastø Fosen I ferry is commissioned to cross the Oslofjord, operating the 30-minute route between Horten and Moss.

It will make the voyage to Fiskerstrand Verft in the fall for refurbishing and installation of its own IMO Tier III compliant GE diesel engine. Bastø Fosen has also ordered six, 8L250MDC, IMO III compliant eight-cylinder in-line engines for three new ferries currently under construction, which launch later in 2016.

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