KR

KOREAN REGISTER OF SHIPPING

NO. 2009013/IMO

TECHNICAL
INFORMATION

23-7, Jang-Dong, Yusung-gu,

Yusung P. O. Box 29, Taejon,
The Republic of Korea
Phone : +82-42-869-9346
Fax
: +82-42-862-6098
E-mail : kr-clt@krs.co.kr
Date
: 18 May 2009
Person in charge : Kim Kyong-Min

Subject : The notice for the verification requirements of NOx emission

for the marine diesel engine which undergoes Substantial modification
as defined in the NOx Technical Code.
Due to the current economical slowdown, it is noticed that some ship-owners are
considering to operate their ships with slower speed in order to reduce main engine fuel
consumption.
Any modification may occur to the engine components(turbo-charger, fuel injection pump
or combustion chamber etc) which influences the NOx emissions performance in order to
improve combustion condition at lower output because operating an engine with slow
speed or lower output around 30%~50% of MCR(Maximum Continuous Rating) for long
period may cause an unstable combustion condition in cylinders and deteriorate the
durability of the engine. In this case, it is regarded as a substantial modification in
accordance with para.1.3.2 of NOx Technical code and also considered as a major
conversion in accordance with Reg.13(2)(a) of MARPOL Annex 6. Therefore, any engine
which undergoes a substantial modification shall be carried out NOx emission test to
ensure that the engine still complies with the NOx emission limits contained in Reg.13 of
Annex VI.
The purpose of this Technical information is to provide the efficient information and
regulations concerning the engine substantial modification(ie, turbocharger, fuel injection
pump or combustion chamber modifications) to shipowners, engine manufactures and
surveyors. If any ship operates carrying the previous NOx technical file and IAPP
Certificate without NOx verification procedures although a substantial modification to its
engines has been occurred, it may cause a PSC deficiency or detention.

Korean Register of Shipping

Page 1/7(E)

- NOTICE 1. Application
Each diesel engine with a power output of more than 130KW which undergoes a
substantial modification on or after 1 January 2000.

1) An example of a substantial modification (1 turbocharger cutting out of the engine

installed on board)
A. Before the substantial modification (3 T/C operation)
Ship speed
(Knots)

16

20

23

26

Load(%)

25%

50%

75%

100%

B. After the substantial modification (Only 2 T/C operation)

Ship speed
(Knots)

14

16

18

20

Load(%)

25%

50%

75%

100%

2. Major conversion (Reg.13(2) of MARPOL 73/78 Annex VI)

1) For the purpose of this regulation, major conversion means a modification of an
engine where
A. the engine is replaced by a new engine built on or after 1 January 2000, or
B. any substantial modification, as defined in the NOx Technical Code, is made to
the engine, or
C. the maximum continuous rating of the engine is increased by more than 10%.
2) The NOx emission resulting from modifications referred to in the paragraph 1) above
shall be documented in accordance with the NOx Technical Code for approval by the
Administration.

3. Substantial modification of a marine diesel engine means

(1.3.2 Chapter 1 of NOx Technical Code):

Korean Register of Shipping

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1) For engines installed on ships constructed on or after 1 January 2000, substantial

modification means any modification to an engine that could potentially cause the
engine to exceed the emission standards set out in regulation 13 of Annex VI. Routine
replacement of engine components by parts specified in the technical file that do
not alter emission characteristics shall not be considered a substantial modification
regardless of whether one part or many parts are replaced.
2) For engines installed on ships constructed before 1 January 2000, substantial
modification means any modification made to an engine which increases its existing
emission

characteristics

established

by

the

simplified

measurement

method

as

described in 6.3 in excess of the allowances set out in 6.3.11. These changes
include, but are not limited to, changes in its operations or in its technical
parameters

(e.g.,

changing

camshafts,

fuel

injection

systems,

air

systems,

combustion chamber configuration, or timing calibration of the engine).

4. NOx emission verification procedures subject to the substantial modification

(2.3.11 Chapter 2 of NOx Technical Code):
: If any adjustment or modification is made which is outside the approved limits
documented in the technical file, the IAPP Certificate may be issued only if the overall
NOx emission performance is verified to be within the required limits by:
Refer to Paragraph 5 for the required limits (Page 6/7).
1) a direct onboard NOx monitoring, as approved by the Administration;
2) a simplified onboard NOx measurement; or,
3) reference to the testbed testing for the relevant engine group approval showing that
the adjustments or modifications do not exceed the NOx emissions limits.

4.1 The concept of Engine group (4.4.4 Chapter 4 of NOx Technical code)
: If the engine owner decides to perform modifications on a number of similar engines among
same engine manufacturer and same engine type in the owner's fleet, the owner may apply for
an engine group certification

Korean Register of Shipping

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4.2 The flowchart for the survey and certification procedure (On-board NOx measurement)
1) For Parent engines
Application for approval of technical file
and reissue of the IAPP Cert. (Shipowner)

To Materials and Equipment

Plan for On-board NOx measurement

(Shipowner or Engine manufacturer)

3 copies of the plan submitted

to Materials and Equipment Team

Team

Approved

Approval of Plan (Class)

by Materials and Equipment Team

On-board NOx measurement

Attended by Class surveyor

(Materials and Equipment Team
or Local office)

On-board NOx measurement results

(Shipowner or Engine manufacturer)

The results submitted to

Materials and Equipment Team

Amended Technical File

(Shipowner or Engine manufacturer)

3 copies of the Amended

Technical File submitted to
Materials and Equipment Team

Approval of Technical File

(Class)

Materials and Equipment Team

Reissue of IAPP Cert. (Class)

Issued by the attending surveyor

(Materials and Equipment Team
or Local office)

2) For Member engines

Prior

to

the

application

for

member

engines,

onboard

NOx

simplified

measurement and the approval of the parent engine are prerequisite.

Application for approval of technical file
and reissue of the IAPP Cert (Shipowner)

3 copies of Technical File for

Member Engine submitted to the
nearest Local office

Approval of Technical File

(Class)

Approved by
Materials and Equipment Team

Onboard confirmation (Class)

Local office

Reissue of IAPP Cert. (Class)

Local office

Korean Register of Shipping

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4.3 NOx measurement on board

1) Engine power measurement (6.3.1.3 Chapter 6 of NOx Technical Code)
: The engine torque and engine speed shall be measured. If it is difficult to measure the
torque directly, the brake power may be estimated by any other means recommended
by the engine manufacturer and approved by the Administration.
If the direct measurement is not possible, the approval of Administration is required.

2) NOx allowance (6.3.11 Chapter 6 of NOx Technical Code):

A. Due to the possible deviations when applying the simplified measurement procedures
of this chapter on board a ship, an allowance of 10% of the applicable limit value
may be accepted for confirmation tests and periodical, intermediate and annual
surveys only.
B. In

no

case

shall

the

total

granted

allowance

for

both

the

simplification

of

measurements on board and the use of heavy fuel oil of an ISO 8217, 1996,
RM-grade fuel, exceed 15% of the applicable limit value.
Refer to Paragraph 5 for applicable limits value(Page 6/7).

3) Calculation of the NOx emission (5.12.5 Chapter 5 of NOx Technical Code)

A. Calculation

NOx emission

g/KWh

Emission mass flow rate

g/h

Weighting factors

Power

KW

B. The example where On-board measurement is carried out at 25% and 50% Load

Korean Register of Shipping

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C. Test cycle and weighting factors (3.2 Chapter 3 NOx Technical Code)
a. Constant-speed main propulsion application (including diesel-electric drive and variable
pitch propeller installations)
Speed

100%

100%

100%

100%

Power

100%

75%

50%

25%

Weighting
factor(WFi)

0.2

0.5

0.15

0.15

Test cycle
type E2

b. Propeller-law-operated main and auxiliary engine application

Speed

100%

91%

80%

63%

Power

100%

75%

50%

25%

Weighting
factor(WFi)

0.2

0.5

0.15

0.15

Test cycle
type E3

5. NOx Emission Limits(Tier I, II & III) (For reference)

RPM

Tier

Tier (2011.1.1~)

Tier (2016.1.1~)

Less than 130

17.0g/kWh

14.4g/kWh

3.4g/kWh

45n(-0.2)g/kWh

44n(-0.23)g/kWh

9n(-0.2)g/kWh

9.8g/kWh

7.7g/kWh

2.0g/kWh

130 or more
but less than
2000
2000 or more

From 1 January 2016, Tier III will be applied to the ship when it is operating in an
Emission Control Area and Tier II will be appled outside Emission Control Area.

6. NOx emission limits subject to Major Conversion (For reference)

: 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 of Reg.13 Revised MARPOL Annex VI(effective from 1 July 2010)
1) For a major conversion involving the replacement of a marine diesel engine with a
non-identical marine diesel engine or the installation of an additional marine diesel engine, the
standards in this regulation in force at the time of the replacement or addition of the engine
shall apply.

Korean Register of Shipping

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2) For any substantial modifications or the maximum continuous rating of the engine is increased
by more than 10%
- For ships constructed prior to 1 January 2000, Tier I shall be applied to the engine onboard.
- For ships constructed on or after 1 January 2000, the standards in force at the time the ship
was constructed shall apply.

7. Contact point for approval

- Materials and Equipment Team
- TEL: 042-869-9468
- FAX: 042-862-6085

Lim Sam-Taek
Executive Vice President
Statutory Survey Division

Korean Register of Shipping

Distributions : Ship owners, Engine manufactures and KR surveyors

Disclaimer :
Although all possible efforts have been made to ensure correctness and completeness of the
contents contained in this information service, the Korean Register of Shipping is not
responsible for any errors or omissions made herein, nor held liable for any actions taken by
any party as a result of information retrieved from this information service.

Korean Register of Shipping

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