Norwegian ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin has signed contracts with Sweden-based Wisby Tankers and Norway’s RoRo company Hoëgh Autoliners to install its Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) on five existing vessels.
The agreement, which comes six months after the Norwegian BWT specialist became the first company to win USCG approval , will see Optimarin fitting units on three bitumen tankers for Wisby and two Hoëgh Autoliners RoRo ships.
“Any shipowner looking for optimal flexibility for their fleets must install BWT systems that are compliant with the very strictest regulations, which, in this case, are those of the USCG,” Tore Andersen, Optimarin CEO, said.
“In addition, the modular nature of OBS makes it easy to retrofit on any vessels – even those where space is of an absolute premium, such as it is on these specialist ships. That was crucial for both Wisby and Hoëgh Autoliners, as it will be for all companies looking to ensure their ships comply with the IMO’s ratified Ballast Water Management convention,” Andersen added.
The tasks, when completed later this year, will take the total number of Optimarin retrofits beyond the 110 mark. The three Wisby Tankers will see 500 m3 systems installed, while the Hoëgh Autoliners vessels will install capacities of 344 m3 and 500 m3. All systems utilize powerful 35kW UV lamps to ensure the elimination of all potentially invasive waterborne organisms.