Eddie Brown News

Cummins Inc. launched the QSK60 EPA Tier 4 / IMO III at Cummins Marine’s virtual showcase on Wednesday, April 14. The new EPA Tier 4 compliant selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment system is being paired with the QSK60 engine to address the impact of stricter emissions regulations on commercial marine markets in North America. The new system mitigates downtime and improves total cost of ownership, the manufacturer said. “For a lot of customers in the marine market, uptime is their biggest concern,” said Eddie Brown, market segment leader for Cummins Marine.

How do you see business today, and where is Cummins looking for opportunities as COVID-19 and volatile oil markets generate market uncertainty?Even in the current state, we are still seeing a solid level of interest and activity in the commercial marine space. Scheduling has been impacted and some areas have slowed down, but overall, the marine industry is very much still active around the world. When we take a closer look at some of the segments within the commercial marine space, differences begin to emerge.

When it comes to complying with EPA’s Tier 4 emissions regulations, there’s no shortage of creativity emerging from America’s maritime engineering firms. Companies such as Hug Engineering are offering flexible, customized aftertreatment-based control systems that can assemble almost in modular like fashion. Other companies, such as ABB Group, offer battery-hybrid power sources to complement combustion power and avoid threshold diesel emissions. Engine manufacturers, such as Cummins…

With few exceptions, marine power is diesel power and emissions levels from diesel engines are coming under increased scrutiny and regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency. The levels of acceptable NOx, carbon monoxide and particulate matter for diesel engines in U.S. flagged vessels depends on the displacement of the engine. The EPA has settled on a liters-per-cylinder measurement to determine the schedule to meet the emission requirements. For example, marine diesel engines between 1.2 and 2.5 liters per cylinder have had to meet what is known as Tier Two requirements since 2004. These are engines typically used to power small gensets, bow thrusters, fire pumps and other auxiliary engine requirements.