Spliethoff says its about half way into a multi-year project to fit out its fleet with exhaust gas scrubbers ahead of the 2020 deadline for using low-sulphur fuel.

The Netherlands-based diversified shipowner says the 12,500-dwt Floragracht (built 2011) is leaving a Lithuanian shipyard after having been fitted with an exhaust gas scrubber.

The Florgracht will be the 24th vessel in Spliethoff's fleet with scrubbers, which are considered one solution for meeting the International Maritime Organisation's deadline for reducing sulphur output on ship fumes to 0.5%.