Strategic Alliance Aims to Meet Rising Demand for NOx Reduction Amidst Stricter Regulations
Esbjerg, Denmark & Sonnefeld, Germany – Semco Maritime and H+H Engineering & Service GmbH have formally cemented their long-standing collaboration with a new strategic agreement, targeting the delivery of advanced exhaust gas treatment and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to the offshore oil and gas industry. This deepened partnership addresses the increasing regulatory and environmental pressures on offshore operators to curtail harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
The agreement leverages H+H Engineering & Service’s specialised expertise as the technology owner for SCR, catalyst, and NOx reduction, while Semco Maritime will function as the primary commercial and operational interface for offshore clients. Semco Maritime is set to establish dedicated service capabilities to support H+H systems throughout their operational lifecycle. The combined offering will provide comprehensive support from initial technical assessment and engineering through to project execution, fabrication, installation, commissioning, and ongoing after-sales service.
The strengthened alliance comes as the offshore sector faces heightened scrutiny over its environmental impact. International maritime regulations, particularly the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) MARPOL Annex VI, have introduced progressively stricter limits on NOx emissions. Notably, the North Sea was designated a NOx Emission Control Area (NECA) from January 1, 2021, mandating IMO Tier III standards for new ships and platforms constructed after this date, requiring an 80% reduction in NOx emissions compared to Tier I levels. This regulatory landscape, coupled with environmental targets and economic factors such as NOx taxation, is driving demand for effective retrofit solutions for existing assets. UK domestic shipping alone accounted for approximately 12.7% of the nation’s total domestic NOx emissions in 2021, a figure significantly augmented by international shipping passing through UK waters.
Simon Wall, Business Development Director at Semco Maritime, emphasised the synergy of the partnership. “We have worked closely with H+H and developed a strong understanding of each other’s capabilities. H+H has deep specialist knowledge in SCR, while Semco Maritime brings extensive experience in complex offshore projects. Combining those capabilities offers a very strong proposition. We see growing demand from offshore customers for proven emissions reduction technologies and aim to make it easier for customers to access the right technology, integrate it efficiently into their assets and receive the service support they need throughout the lifetime of the system,” he stated.
SCR technology stands as one of the most effective methods for reducing NOx emissions from diesel and other combustion engines. It works by injecting a urea-based reductant into the exhaust stream, which then reacts with NOx over a catalyst, converting the harmful gases into harmless nitrogen and water vapour. This process can achieve NOx reduction efficiencies of up to 98%.
Jürgen Müller, Managing Director, Sales Marine, at H+H Engineering & Service, highlighted the foundational trust and shared vision. “Our cooperation has developed over several years and is based on trust, technical competence and a shared understanding of our customers’ needs. We see significant potential in strengthening our position in the offshore market together. We can provide customers with access to proven SCR expertise combined with a partner that understands the practical demands of engineering, installing and maintaining systems in the offshore environment,” said Müller.
H+H Engineering & Service GmbH, based in Sonnefeld, Germany, boasts over 30 years of experience in SCR technology, providing exhaust gas and air treatment solutions for marine and stationary applications globally. The company reports over 750 SCR installations worldwide and supports more than 300 vessels equipped with over 800 engines in the marine sector. Semco Maritime, an international engineering and contracting firm with approximately 2,300 employees, brings over four decades of experience in the conventional energy sector and two decades in offshore wind. The Danish-headquartered company has explicitly committed to decarbonisation, aiming for carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2030 and across all scopes by 2050. Semco Maritime has demonstrated robust financial growth, with revenue reaching DKK 5.6 billion in 2025, and renewables now constituting 67% of its group revenue, surpassing its 2027 strategic target. This strategic move solidifies its role in bridging conventional and renewable energy solutions during the ongoing energy transition.
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The collaboration is particularly pertinent given the complexities of integrating such systems into existing offshore infrastructure, where limited space and operational continuity are critical challenges. By combining their respective strengths, Semco Maritime and H+H Engineering & Service aim to offer a streamlined, efficient pathway for offshore operators to achieve regulatory compliance and advance their environmental performance.
Cited Sources:
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- H+H Engineering & Service GmbH – Enlit World
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- IMO-Offshore-EU-Inland-Engine-Emissions-Compliance – Lancing Marine
- H+H Engineering & Service GmbH
- Partner for exhaust gas & air treatment technology – H+H Engineering & Service GmbH
- Selective Catalytic Reduction – SCR – Semco Maritime
- Extending the emission control area to all UK waters – GOV.UK
- SCR Gas Exhaust Treatment – Yara
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- Integration of a SCR filtration system | Maritime & Offshore – MULTI Engineering
