Optimarin Bags Order for 10 BWT Systems from Asian Client

Ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin has secured a fleet agreement for the installation of 10 of its BWT systems with an unnamed Asian shipowner covering a group of 6,700 TEU container vessels.

The first of the Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) units has already been installed, with two further systems following at the beginning of next year, and two more in spring 2016. Goltens Green Technology, which entered into an agreement with Optimarin last year as a ‘preferred retrofit partner’, will manage all design and supervision from its Singapore office.

“This is a major contract, with a global leader in shipping,” states Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen.

“Due to confidentiality clauses we can’t say who it is, but we can say that this firm, like many others we have reached frame agreements with, has chosen our system due to our unparalleled expertise in retrofitting and the reliable performance of our proven BWT solution.”

Optimarin, which fitted the world’s first commercial BWT system in 2000, has now fitted over 270 OBS units worldwide, from an orderbook that has seen over 350 orders placed.

“Our solution combines simplicity with innovation, utilising a combination of automatic back flushing, self cleaning filters and UV irradiation to neutralise all organisms, bacteria and pathogens in ballast water,” Andersen comments.

The 10 vessels, each requiring 1000 m3/h system capacities, are managed from Hong Kong and will undergo installation work at Chinese yards.

Optimarin, which recently completed work on extensive in-house testing facilities at its headquarters in Stavanger, is currently undergoing a full program of USCG approval testing for the OBS. The system already has IMO approval, USCG AMS acceptance, and certification through DNV GL, BV, RMRS and CCS.