Optimarin BWTS meets new IMO rules

The company has recently received orders from Arriva Shipping for its fleet of advanced dry bulk vessels and Østensjø Rederi for four newbuilds currently under construction at Spain’s Gondan shipyard. A total of around 1000 Optimarin Ballast Systems (OBS) have now been sold, of which 700 are already installed, the majority retrospectively.

“Our simple, easy to install and environmentally friendly UV-based technology has a history of reliable operation, both at sea with our customers and in the most stringent testing environments,” commented Leiv Kallestad, chief executive of Optimarin.

Optimarin installed the first commercial system in 2000 and became the first supplier to receive full USCG certification in 2016. OBS also has certification from a range of classification organisations, including ABS, BV, DNV-GL, LR, CCS & MLIT Japan.

All systems installed after the 28 October must meet stricter criteria to comply with IMO’s Ballast Water Management convention. The regulations do not affect systems installed prior to the deadline.

“Shipowners and operators looking to select systems need to ensure that technology is future proof,” Live Kallestad noted. “Suppliers that can offer full USCG and revised G8 certification, alongside a long history of operational success, will provide that reassurance.”