Optimarin BWMS wins US type approval race

The move enables ship owners to select systems permanently compliant with global ballast water discharge standards for the first time. The global regime comprises requirements set out by the IMO’s International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) – due to enter force on 8 September 2017 – and by the US, which is not party to the convention.

John Mauger, commanding officer of the USCG’s Marine Safety Center, hailed the development as “a significant milestone for the maritime industry in addressing the threat posed by invasive species.”

Optimarin, which estimates that up to 40% of the world’s tonnage will require US-approved BWMS, filed its final application for approval in September after fulfilling testing at DNV GL and NIVA laboratories. The OBS, which uses combination of filtration and 35kW UV lamps to treat ballast water, is suitable for containerships of any size and other vessels of up to 60,000dwt.

“One size does not fit all, so we will continue to evaluate other systems submitted by multiple manufactures with the intent to provide options that meet shipping’s varying needs,” said Paul Thomas, assistant commandant for prevention policy, USCG, on the USCG Maritime Commons blog.

As reported, the USCG has confirmed that it has also received final type approval applications for systems from Alfa Laval and DESMI OceanGuard. As of 28 October the authority has received letters of intent from manufacturers of 42 systems planning to apply for type approval.

Crucially, the type approval also has implications for USCG’s programme of extending the date by which vessels must comply with their approved ballast water management methods. An extension is available to owners or operators which can document that compliance is not possible. According to a bulleting released by the USCG on 2 December, following the first type approval any application for an extension must include “an explicit statement supported by documentary evidence (e.g., a delay in commercial availability) that installation of the type approved system is not possible for purposes of compliance with the regulatory implementation schedule”.

Tore Andersen, CEO, Optimarin, said: “This is a huge day for our company, and our customers. USCG has the world’s most stringent testing standards, meaning that once a system has approval it is assured of total global compliance, now and into the future.

“There are numerous units with USCG Alternate Management Systems (AMS) certification, but this is a temporary measure to allow trading in US waters. At some point, if they haven’t met full USCG approval standards, they will have to be changed.”

Optimarin has taken orders from a wide range of shipowners, operators and yards in 2016, including Atlantis Tankers, Vard Group, Saga Shipholding, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, Fisherman’s Finest, Solvang ASA, and Carisbrooke. More than 60 have been retrofitted in conjunction with Goltens and Zeppelin Power Systems.

Read The Motorship’s recent interview with Tore Andersen here.