MSC Cruises and Celebrity both choose BIO-SEA systems

Ultraviolet light water treatment provider BIO-UV is to supply its BIO-SEA ballast water treatment system for new cruise ships that are being built by both MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises.

MSC Cruises has ordered BIO-SEA systems for two of its LNG-powered World Class ships with the systems before they are delivered by French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique in 2022 and 2024. Each vessel will be equipped with one BIO-SEA B02-0300 skid-mounted unit capable of treating 300 cubic metres of ballast water per hour. The contract also includes an option for an additional two World Class vessels.

BIO-UV also supplied similar units for MSC Cruises’ two new Meraviglia-class vessels – MSC Meraviglia and the newly launched MSC Bellissima.

“We are delighted that MSC Cruises has again selected BIO-SEA for treating the ballast water aboard its new cruise ships,” said Benoît Gillmann, BIO-UV Group’s president and CEO. “The order follows the success of the installation and operation of similar units aboard MSC’s Meraviglia class of cruise ships. When the first 200,000gt World Class vessel enters service in 2022, it will be the largest cruise ship in the MSC fleet.”

Celebrity Cruises has ordered a BIO-SEA unit capable of treating 250 cubic metres of water per hour on its three new Edge-class vessels, which are also being constructed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique. One unit is already in service onboard Celebrity Edge, the first in the new series.

“MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises have selected the BIO-SEA technology for its proven performance and user-friendly interface,” said Xavier Deval, BIO-UV Group’s BIO-SEA business director. “BIO-SEA has the shortest holding time at full flow of any ballast water treatment system in the market. This is of primary importance for cruise ships as they visit a new port every day and consequently carry out ballasting/deballasting operations frequently.”