Volvo Penta to reveal cleaner D13 engine range

The move to IMO Tier III-compliant engines marks a shift in European and US emissions regulations that will require recreational motor yachts to comply with tougher standards that have already been brought in for commercial vessels earlier this year.

“New IMO III emissions regulations, introduced for yachts, are a step forward towards increased sustainability,” Volvo Penta said in a statement. 

“Volvo Penta reacts to this legislation by creating the reliable, fuel-efficient, and most compact IMO Tier III solution on the market,” it said.

“This system will make the transition to IMO III compliance smooth sailing,?both?for Volvo Penta IPS and traditional inboard shaft installations.”

Under the changes, Volvo Penta has fitted its D13 IPS1200-1350 engines with a selective catalytic reduction after-treatment system that injects urea into the exhaust system. The urea reacts with the harmful nitrous oxides to turn them into nitrogen, water, and carbon dioxide.

The big benefit for existing D13 users is that the new system is compact enough that it fits inside the same footprint as the non-IMO III engine, making the job of swapping out to the cleaner technology much simpler.

“Furthermore, thanks to the patent-pending flexible and modular outlet, the SCR system can be installed in both a vertical and horizontal position, thus making it an even more versatile solution,” Volvo Penta said.

Once fitted, the new IMO III system has the same lifespan as the engine, and will not need servicing. And while the system creates more exhaust back pressure, the D13’s performance ratings remain the same as before.

Volvo Penta has also promised the new exhaust scrubbing technology will not have an impact on fuel use, with burn rates either matching or falling lower than the engines they replace.

The system will also be able to switch between EPA III (US) and IMO III (European) standards, giving motor yachts using the engines more flexibility when touring the world’s waters.

Volvo Penta marine leisure product manager Björn Rönnvall said Volvo Group had gained much experience designing after-treatment systems for industrial and marine commercial customers.

“This has enabled us to finetune the solution – extending its lifespan, maintaining and even bettering its fuel consumption, and delivering all this and more in a compact, flexible package,” Rönnvall said.

“Ultimately, we want to make this transition as simple as possible for our marine yacht customers – supporting them and the ocean environment we all love.” 

While the new D13 IMO III engine range will be launched at this month’s Cannes show, the orders book is expected to open in January 2022.

The Cannes Yachting Festival runs from September 7-12.