Optimarin claims lead in USGC approval
Optimarian’s UV system utilises environmentally friendly UV irradiation and back-flushing filters to wipe out invasive organisms that stow away in ballast.
Both the standard MPN (regrowth) method and the FDA/CMFDA (instant kill) benchmark were successfully assessed.
Tore Andersen, Optimarin CEO, said: “This is a great endorsement of our system’s effectiveness and the expertise of our team. We’ve been developing our system since founding the company in 1994 and we believe we have a market leading solution for vessels in our segment.”
He continued: “USCG approval is crucial, so we’re happy to be so far down the line in achieving it. Without a USCG approved system ships won’t be able to discharge ballast water in US waters.”
“For shipowners with global fleets and route networks, not having such a system would impact massively on their operational footprint and overall fleet flexibility. It really is a must.”
Systems which employ UV lamps have proven their ability to meet the MPN standard but none were yet to achieve the instant kill capability demanded by USCG.
Optimarian have sold over 350 and installed 270 systems, the testing was carried out by DNV GL at the NIVA testing facility in Norway.
The company is investing US$30m in the approval programme and more tests are scheduled for spring 2016, USGC approval is expected to be granted in late 2016.
Mr Andersen said: “Each of our lamps has a 35kw capacity. This, quite literally, kills any potentially harmful invasive organisms straightaway.”
“Other systems may neutralise them in a way where they die eventually, but ours does it before they are deposited back into the water. USCG is pushing for these stringent demands, challenging the industry to meet requirements and safeguard the environment,” he concluded.
