Norwegian Optimarin's ballast water management system received USCG approval

Optimarin completed the USCG ballast water treatment system seawater, brackish water and freshwater environmental tests and all onshore and onboard tests in early July. The USCG evaluated and identified the company's application in accordance with 46 CFR 162.060.

Tore Andersen, CEO of Optimarin, said, “This is a very important day for our company and our customers. A fleet of up to 40% of the world's fleet needs to use ballast water management systems that meet US approval requirements. The US standard is global. The most stringent test standards, after completing the tests of DNV GL classification society and NIVA laboratory, we submitted the final approval application in September this year. This approval from the United States means that our system is now and in the future. Can meet global requirements.

“Optimarin is the world's first UV-based ballast water treatment system to meet USCG CMFDA testing standards. Optimarin's ballast water management system (OBS) processes ballast water with filtration and 35kW UV lamps. Suitable for container ships of any size and other ships up to 60,000 dwt. For the past 22 years, Optimarin has been specializing in the development of UV ballast water treatment systems. In 2000, it installed the world's first on the Princess Regal. Commercial ballast water treatment systems.

Optimarin noted that the company is currently in the best of history due to the successful certification of the US Coast Guard. Since 2016, Optimarin has received orders for nearly 100 ballast water treatment systems from various shipowners, operators and shipyards, including Atlantis Tanker, Vard Group, Saga Shipholding, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, Fisherman's Finest, Solvang ASA and Carisbrooke et al. More than 60 ballast water treatment system orders were also retrofitted with Goltens and Zeppelin Power Systems.

According to Optimarin, the company has seen a potential market for its ballast water treatment systems for 25,000 ships around the world and will gain a significant share of the conversion market.

It is reported that the current international regulations for ballast water are mainly set by IMO and the United States, and the international convention on ship ballast water and sediment control and management is expected to be implemented on September 8, 2017.

John Mauger, commander of the US Coast Guard Ship Safety Center, pointed out that the issuance of this type of approval is an important milestone for the ship industry to pose a threat to invasive species. However, one system is difficult to meet the requirements of all ship types, so we will continue to evaluate the application requirements submitted by other manufacturers to meet the various needs of the shipping industry.

The US Coast Guard has confirmed that it has received applications for final type certification of ballast water treatment systems by Alfa Laval and DESMI OceanGuard. As of October 28th, the US Coast Guard has received a letter of intent for the manufacturer to apply for type approval for 42 ballast water treatment systems.