Damen’s Ballast Water Port Solution Put to Test

The ballast water technology InvaSave has completed shipboard testing onboard the containership Henrike Schepers during which ballast water was taken in untreated and the efficacy of the technology was validated upon discharge, Damen Green Solutions said.

The company said that, with these tests, the InvaSave technology demonstrates that it is capable of providing an IMO type approved backup in a port in the event of a failure in a vessel’s on board treatment systems to uptake or discharge ballast water.

Furthermore, it can serve as a port-based alternative for those ship owners that may not want to retrofit an on board treatment system or be deployed in a port with a sudden outbreak of marine pests.

“More and more countries are ratifying the IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) and it could enter into force in 2017; in any case, it is only a matter of time. Damen is cooperating with the service providers in the ports to provide this ballast water treatment service. This is also relevant for all port authorities, who could face congestion problems if they don’t have a contingency/emergency service in place,” said Damen Green Solutions Product Manager Matthijs Schuiten.

Groningen Seaports is the first port to provide this ballast water treatment service. The solution is likely to appeal to other ports as well as ship owners, operating close to World Heritage Sites and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas.

IMO type approval is expected to be obtained 2016 and a patent is pending.

Image Courtesy: Damen