Marine water requirements are very much stringent. Ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin has become the first UV system supplier to meet USCG marine, positioning the Norwegian company for full USCG approval in 2016. It requires a series of land-based tests, both the standard MPN (regrowth) method and the more exacting FDA/CMFDA, or ‘instant kill’, benchmark were successfully assessed.
Optimarin’s system utilises UV irradiation and back-flushing filters to wipe out invasive organisms that stow away in ballast. Other systems employing UV lamps have only neutralised the organisms, but, Optimarin’s system has achieved the instant kill capability demanded by USCG.
Testing of Optimarin’s system was carried out by DNV GL at the NIVA test facility in Norway. Further testing of remaining water salinities are now scheduled for spring 2016, after which point approval is expected later in the year.
The company has invested USD 3million so far. Andersen notes: “Our 35kw capacity UV lamp technology is the key. This, quite literally, kills any invasive organisms straightaway. Other systems only neutralise them. USCG is pushing for these stringent demands, challenging the industry to meet requirements and safeguard the environment.” Our system with retrofits gives “complete peace of mind” for shipowners to comply with both USCG regulations and the upcoming ratification of the IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention.
Optimarin installed the first ever BWT system on board Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess in 2000, supplied systems to Saga Shipholding, MOL, Grieg Shipping Group, Gulf Offshore, Farstad Shipping, NYK, Nor Lines and Evergreen Marine Corp, amongst others.
The firm is a leader in both the newbuild and retrofit segments, with over 60 systems currently retrofitted onto a wide variety of offshore and deepsea vessels. Optimarin’s type approved Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) is certified by a comprehensive range of classification organisations, including DNV GL, Lloyd’s, Bureau Veritas, MLIT Japan and American Bureau of Shipping.
Without a USCG approved system ships won’t be able to discharge ballast water in US waters. It really is a must for a global fleet.
Source: Optimarin
