Optimarin’s ballast system (OBS) is a chemical free solution that uses UV lamp technology to meet the requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) having been both Type Approved and accepted as an Alternative Management System (AMS) by the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The system is expected to achieve USCG full approval this year following further testing in spring 2016.
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Optimarin’s OBS is a flexible solution that is applicable to newbuilds and retrofits that does not use or generate chemicals in its process. The system is purely based on filtration during pre-treatment ballasting and uses high doses of UV irradiation for inactivation of marine organisms viruses and bacteria, without affecting the normal operation of the ship. The system can handle flows up to 3,000m3/h and is certified to operate in all salinities including freshwater, brackish water and seawater.
The high power UV efficiently kills or inactivates organisms, bacteria and pathogens in ballast water. The system is fully self-cleaning with no moving parts or need for chemical cleaning at all and features a range of filters to facilitate automatic back-flushing and self-cleaning, removal of large particles and organisms, low pressure loss of only 0.1 – 0.5bar, horizontal or vertical installation and bypass during de-ballasting. Additionally, the Ballast Control System allows easy operation thanks to its user-friendly interface with touch screen, one click start to any operation, interface with the ship’s integrated automation system, logging in accordance with IMO requirements, option of receiving signals from the ballast pumps and valves and additional features as PMS integration, GPS logging and UV redundancy.
The system is not only competitively priced but utilises every square metre, requiring little space.
The system has over 350 installations over 220 systems and in March 2016, Optimarin won a contract to install potential 46 OBS’ to Carisbrooke, one of the largest orders for ballast systems to date.
The OBS can be delivered in a container, on a skid or as separate components to allow for easy installation in almost any available space. As the system is modular it can fit vessels of all kinds and sizes.
OBS is fully approved by the IMO and certified through DNV GL, Lloyd’s, Bureau Veritas, MLIT Japan, and American Bureau of Shipping.
