Yara and Wilhelmsen strengthen collaboration in maritime emissions reduction market

Yara and Wilhelmsen Maritime Services (WMS) have entered into a new collaborative agreement on emissions to air in the marine sector.

The agreement establishes  direct collaboration and enables both companies to focus on core strengths in reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions to air from commercial vessels.

This agreement provides for Yara to take over ownership of Yarwil's NOx abatement technology, for Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), and further develop it for use in the marine emissions to air market. Wilhelmsen Maritime Services will continue as a distributor in the maritime market.

Successful business in growing market
"The market for this environmental technology is rapidly increasing and we expect to see a steady growth with adoption of such systems by commercial vessels. We look forward to continuing in a more direct way our close cooperation with Wilhelmsen with regards to the nitrogen chemistry and technology for maritime emissions abatement," said Yves Bonte, Head of Yara's Industrial segment.

Dag Schjerven, president and CEO of Wilhelmsen Maritime Services explained the background for the new collaboration: "Yarwil and the NOxCare Marine solution have been successful, but the competitive environment in their main markets has gotten steadily tougher, putting increasing pressure on prices and profitability. A leaner supply model is therefore needed to counter this development."

Further development
A lean and cost efficient global sales and distribution organization will be established, building on Yara's existing sales and supply structure and utilizing Wilhelmsen Maritime Services' worldwide network. Furthermore, Yara will acquire the sulfur oxides (SOx) scrubber development project from Maritime Protection, recently acquired by Wilhelmsen Technical Solutions. A commercial agreement will be established, securing Wilhelmsen Technical Solutions the right to sell the technology when it has become commercially available.

WMS and Yara entered the market in 2007 with the Yarwil joint venture, offering NOx abatement solutions under the NOxCare brand. Yarwil and its employees will be transferred to the two parent companies respectively.
Source: Wilhelmsen Maritime Services