PRESS RELEASE: This summer’s sulphur testing using a drone was a great success. The Norwegian Maritime Authority will now purchase three new sulphur sensors through the official cooperation with the Coast Guard, the Norwegian Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority.
The equipment will be used in the work to uncover illegal emissions, improve oil pollution control and help during rescue work. The Norwegian Coastal Administration has had an open tender on this equipment, and has decided to purchase new drones for surveillance and stand-by.
NOK 14 million
The value of the contract awarded the company Norse Asset Solutions, is close to NOK 14 million. It is a framework contract giving the government agencies as much as five drones and specialized equipment. The new drones will among other things, be used to measure sulphur emissions in the exhaust from ships.
– Sulphur emission control of exhaust will now be expanded to a larger geographical area than today, and the control will become more effective, says Thomas Angell Bergh, Head of Section for Inspection, Audit and Emergency Preparedness.
After the sulphur testing this summer, where for instance a cruise ship in Flåm was tested and revealed to have levels that were too high, the results were presented at an international conference in Antwerp. At the conference, the work of the Norwegian Maritime Authority received international attention.
First in the world
Norway now continues its offensive surveillance and preparedness with drone sensors and expands from one to three drones – despite the fact that Denmark has tested sulphur sensors a good while now, and not yet put them into regular operation.
The purpose is that the drones, so-called multicoptres with four propellers, can be equipped with different types of sensors depending on the mission. In addition to regular cameras, infrared cameras are also possible in addition to other sensors.
So far this year, the Norwegian Maritime Authority has carried out 205 inspections to check sulphur content in emissions from ships. Five violations were uncovered, and shipping companies have received penalties of between NOK 250.000 and 600.000.
