Wärtsilä provides complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. Recently, they have won a contract with German-based M/s. Bernhard Schulte GmbH & Co. KG, for retrofitting 11 of their container vessels with Ballast Water Management System ( BWMS). The companies entered into the contract in July 2015, and this is said to be one of the single largest retrofit contracts for BWMS solutions issued so far worldwide.
The 11 vessels to be retrofitted are all container carriers in the size ranging between 2600 TEU to 5600 TEU. They are managed by companies affiliated to Bernhard Schulte Ship Management and are located at Greece, Hong Kong, India and Singapore. The retrofitted vessels are due for delivery by 2017.
It is felt that this is a significant move by ship owners, by way of validating and implementing the IMO’s Ballast water treaty. Director of Ballast Water Management Systems, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions, Dr Joe Thomas is quoted to have said, “Wärtsilä has both experience and deep know-how in this field, and can offer reliability and long-term support to ensure that customers have the optimal solution for their specific needs. We are grateful to our agents in Germany, Wilhelm Rump KG, for their valuable assistance in finalising this contract”.
Boosted by the success and advantage seen over their first BWMS way back in 2012; Bernhard Schulte GmbH & Co decided to retrofit their entire fleet with NWMS over the next five years. They trust Wärtsilä to be the right choice, given the company’s capabilities and resources to provide continued support.
About BWMS:
Ballast water is water carried in ships’ ballast tanks to improve stability, balance and trim. It is taken up or discharged when cargo is unloaded or loaded, or when a ship needs extra stability in foul weather. Ballast water discharge typically contains a variety of biological materials, including plants, small living beings, viruses and bacteria. These materials often include non-native, nuisance, exotic species that can cause extensive ecological and economic damage to aquatic ecosystems, along with serious human health issues including death. This is what caused the IMO to introduce the Ballast water management convention in 2004. The VGP legislation was introduced relating to ships sailing in US water in the year 2013.
Source: Wartsila
