Optimarin signs service agreement with Goltens

The partnership will enable Optimarin to use Goltens’ facilities in Asia, North America and the Middle East to offer shortened local lead times for the commissioning and maintenance of its Optimarin Ballast System (OBS).

Speaking about Goltens, Optimarin’s CEO, Tore Andersen, said: “We’ve worked with them for about six years, partnering with their skilled engineers to install OBS on more than 100 vessels. They know our technology and we trust their expertise, so we make an excellent team.”

Optimarin first worked with Goltens on the retrofitting of its modular OBS technology on vessels for Saga Shipholding in 2011/12. The companies have since successfully partnered on projects for clients including The Royal Netherlands Navy, Technip, GulfMark and MOL.

Optimarin’s UV-based system became the first to pass the US Coast Guard’s (USCG) Ballast Water Treatment (BWT) requirements in December last year. The firm is also believed to be the first ever company to install a commercial BWT system in 2000.

Anderson said that the market is picking up because of the ratification of the IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention and the USCG’s compliance requirements. He added: “There’s no avoiding these important regulations.”