CTG launches BWM flow through mode

The optical sensor manufacturer said the new development for the Perela type approved system which is currently on approximately 80 ships, enables operators to carry out flow through measurements.

Brian Philips, managing director of CTG said the company’s methodology used to make the measurements is approved by DNVGL, stressing “it’s our own technology – we understand it and we’ve been able to adapt it and correct it to a degree that other companies today haven’t.”

Regulation

CTG is currently in talks with regulatory authorities, port authorities, flag states about using FastBallast and is currently having its equipment regulated by the Canadian and Chinese government’s which aim to start doing testing on ships coming in and out of their port.

As a result of this it has sold its technology to shipowners and ballast water equipment manufacturers.

Mr Philips said that some of the challenges with monitoring compliance with the IMO and USCG discharge standards included making meaningful measurements in a short period of time.

DNV GL is currently in the process of assessing FastBallast, installed on around 80 vessels, for type approval and Sea Sentry, CTG’s wash water monitor for exhaust gas, installed on around 250 ships.

Standard development needed

Sea Sentry has to meet IMO requirements, Mr Philips pointed out, but “those sort of standards don’t exist with ballast water.”

He explained: “Unlike the 2020 sulphur cap with exhaust gas, we have no deadline yet with ballast water to say that by this date you will have to have done something. But it’s not clearly established. We are lacking a firm hand from the authority’s point of view and robust techniques accepted and laid down that the tests have to be made to and meet. If those two things happen the situation will vastly improve.”

Mr Phillips has recently become a witness for an ISO committee aiming to write ballast water standards. “We want to make them aware of what the issues are so they can write a robust set of standards that the industry can use and work to,” he stressed.