Wärtsilä ballast system gets IMO approval

Aquarius EC is a modular BWMS which provides a process for treatment of ballast water through a simply two stage process – after passing through a back washing filter, the sea water is disinfected to ensure a maximum level of 10ppm in the treated ballast water.

Dr Joe Thomas, director, Ballast Water Systems, Wärtsilä Environmental Solutions, told Green Port: “The EC system received the BASIC approval from IMO last week which was a major milestone in the process. Our strategic aim is that we try to offer the customer a choice of technology, recognising that no one technology can be applicable to every ship size.”

He added: “Type Approval can be a long process and more consideration is given by IMO when so called ‘active substances’ are used to disinfect the ballast water. The AQUARIUS EC system uses electrolysis to produce a disinfectant (active substance) from salt in the sea water. The IMO is very careful to ensure that such BWMS do not themselves introduce unacceptable risk and safety issues for the ship, crew, general public and the environment.”

Application for IMO FINAL approval was submitted instantly following the grant of BASIC approval by MEPC-64. Prior to FIANL submission, an evaluation of the impact of the treated ballast water on uncoated and coated materials typically used in marine and offshore construction was carried out.