The International Maritime Organization (IMO) defines three NOx emission tiers for marine diesel enginesβTierβ―I, Tierβ―II, and Tierβ―III. Tierβ―I applies to ships built before 2000, Tierβ―II to vessels built from 2000β2011, and Tierβ―III to ships constructed after 2011 operating in Emission Control Areas (ECAs). Each successive tier imposes a stricter limit on the mass of NOx emitted per unit of work.
NOx emissions are expressed in grams per kilowattβhour (g/kWh) and are measured during a standardized test cycle. The reported value must be compared against the tierβspecific limit that depends on the engineβs rated power and the fuel type. If the measured emission is lower than or equal to the limit, the engine is considered compliant.
Compliance can be evaluated with a simple comparison against the IMOβpublished limits. A common representation of the limit curve is a powerβlaw relationship:
What is NOx Tier I compliance?
When did NOx Tier II regulations come into effect?
Which tier has the most stringent NOx emission requirements?
How are NOx emissions measured for compliance?
What is the difference between ECA and non-ECA areas regarding NOx emission tiers?
Can older vessels be retrofitted to meet newer NOx emission standards?
What is the purpose of these NOx emission tiers?
Results are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice.
