System enables ship operators to treat ballast water via filtration and electro-chlorination
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Wärtsilä’s Aquarius EC Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) has been granted Type Approval by the United States Coastguard (USCG).
The Aquarius EC BWMS is designed to enable ship operators to treat between 250 and 4,000 cubic metres of ballast water per hour using a simple two-stage process – first by filtration and then by electro-chlorination (EC).
As part of the USCG approval process, the system underwent extensive tests on land and at sea to verify that it meets the specified regulatory, technical and safety requirements. The system delivered an “exceptional performance” during the tests.
Wärtsilä’s Aquarius UV system, the company’s alternative technology, has completed all USCG testing requirements and Type Approval certification is expected to be granted before the end of 2018.
“We are naturally delighted that following a stringent review and investigation process, the USCG has granted Type Approval,” said Timo Koponen, vice president of Processing Solutions at Wärtsilä Marine Solutions. “This follows similar approval given by the International Maritime Organization in 2013. Since Wärtsilä offers both EC and ultra-violet (UV) technologies, we are uniquely able to provide impartial advice to owners and operators regarding the most suitable system for their particular needs.”