Ballast Water Treatment Systems
Ballast water management is an absolute necessity that can become a struggle for many shipping companies. In addition to the major investments and expensive downtime involved, the system needs to fit within an already crowded engine room. Nonetheless, a proper ballast water treatment system is required to stay operational.
"Turnkey solutions for Ballast Water Treatment Systems up to 1.000 m3/h"
AN ECOLOGICAL THREAt
Ballast water represents a serious hazard to ecological systems around the globe. Invasive species that travel in the ballast water tanks can be unintentionally introduced to new habitats and affect the natural balance of aquatic ecosystems. To prevent the spread of non-native species, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments – also known as the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention. This obliges ship owners to install a ballast water purification system on board their ships to prevent local ecosystems in our oceans from being (further) affected.
For many owners, the deadline is really getting close. When the IOPP certificate needs to be renewed, a ship must comply with the D-2 standard of the BWM Convention to remain operational.
Higher demand for BWTS refits
The complexity and cost of a BWTS refit should not be underestimated. In addition, around 70,000 ships worldwide must meet the D2 standard by 2024. Due to the large investment, many shipping companies have postponed a BWTS refit so far. Now that the deadline is approaching and so many ships still do not meet the D2 standard, chances are that refit yards and suppliers will no longer be able to meet the demand for BWTS refits.
Independent advice
Wolfard & Wessels helps ship owners to choose the most optimal BWT system for their ship; UV or electrocatalysis. As an independent refit partner, we determine the best solution together with our clients with sound advice.
Ballast water can be treated using a range of different technologies. All systems are equipped with an advanced filter unit that prevents the (relatively) large sized organisms from entering the ballast water tanks. But the real key to success is to eliminate those microscopic organisms which are too small to be filtered out efficiently.
UV LIGHT
UV purifying systems are excellent safety measures and a powerful weapon against micro-organisms. UV lamps emit electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths below 200 nanometer. This highly energetic electromagnetic radiation splits particles at a molecular level, resulting in very reactive particles. This means they will easily bound with bacteria, viruses or other micro-organisms. The oxidizing process alters their chemical composition and eventually breaks it down.
ELECTROCATALYSIS
Basically, the result with electrocatalysis is the same as with UV purification, only the method is different. During the catalytic process, large numbers of highly oxidizing substances are created which are called hydroxyl radicals. Like the splitted particles created by UV light, these radicals couple with micro-organisms and break them down into harmless substances without residues. This whole process happens within several nanoseconds.
Turnkey installation
Wolfard & Wessels supervises the BWTS refit from A to Z and delivers the installation on a turnkey basis. Using a 3D scan, Wolfard & Wessels can engineer everything prior to the refit, allowing production and installation to be carried out as efficiently as possible. This way, a ship is out of service for the shortest time possible. Accurate planning and good coordination with all parties involved are essential for the project to succeed.
From engineering to production and installation, all aspects of BWT are dealt with by our multi-disciplinary experts.
- 1
On board recording & 3D laser scan
- 2
Concept design engineering & class approval
- 3
Detailed engineering & modeling
- 4
Procurement & prefabricated piping systems
- 5
Transport
- 6
Installation & commissioning
Since the introduction of the D2 standard, Wolfard & Wessels refittet over 80 existing vessels to meet the D2 standard for ballast water management. On top of that we equipped many new vessels with a state of the art ballast water treatment system.
Ballast Water Treatment Systems
Download the brochure to learn all the ins and outs about ballast water treatment systems.
Download
What our customers say about us
"Wolfard & Wessels has supported Arklow Shipping from start to finish and provided us with BWTS solutions for the entire fleet. They are always available when you need them. The 3D scanning and engineering package is made for easy spool manufacturing and installation. All systems were placed in the regular dry dock slot and there were no delays due to BWTS."
Martin Lilley - Arklow Shipping, multiple vessels
"Wolfard & Wessels is a professional and reliable partner. The biggest challenge was to fit the ballast water treatment system into the limited space of the engine room, and that we didn't lose any capacity for deballasting. W&W delivered, with hard work and determination. They keep their word with all appointments."
Naftali Blokzijl - General cargo vessel The Donau
