IRClass proposes alternative to BWTS

He estimates that around 74,400 vessels will be affected by the convention, and so far no more than 5% of vessels- or around 4,000, have been fitted with BWTS. Challenges facing the industry include the number of ships requiring retrofitting and the availability of BWTS and installation facilities, as well as crew training, choice and availability of proper BWT systems, uncertainty about its real-time efficiency, delay due to PSC inspection and sampling, increased power consumption and additional working hours for crew, he told an audience at Asia Pacific Maritime in Singapore.

“Shipping is in need of an alternative to solve these challenges, said Mr Mishra, “and that solution, is the reinvented port based mobile ballast water treatment facility, or ‘BWTBoat’,” he said.

He pointed out that under the BWM convention, additional approaches not linked to onboard treatment system are permitted, such as discharge to reception facilities and the so-called ‘other Methods’ which are subject to the ‘same level of protection’.

Mr Mishra proposes a new approach in offering port based ballast water treatment boats for serving ships on fixed routes. The BWTBoat concept developed by IR Class, will provide a flexible facility, fitted with a type-approved modular set of BWTS that is customised for local waters. Ships would use BWTBoat for receiving treated water or for discharging ballast, for a reasonable service fee. Mr Mishra said that no modifications to the ships themselves will be necessary, other than a standard discharge connection on the deck for connecting with BWTBoat, while ballasting and de-ballasting.

Research conducted by IR Class on behalf of the Indian Maritime Authority indicates that the BWTBoat approach could be implemented worldwide in regional and coastal trading zones, wherever small and medium-sized vessels serve only regional ports, saving time and money for the industry.

Mr Mishra said this could be a global solution for an industry plagued by a slow recovery from the shipping downturn, where costs continue to play a dominant role in an owner’s decision making. The business model for this approach could be based on provision of tugs and bunker barges, with investment either by local shipowners or by others on a tendering basis.

Mr Mishra added: “United efforts are required to convince port states and IMO to achieve successful implementation.”