Optimarin’s IMO Type Approved Ballast System (OBS) has become the first UV ballast water treatment system (BWTS) to meet the US Coast Guard (USCG) marine water requirements, positioning the company for full USCG approval in 2016.
A number of land-based tests were carried out by DNV GL at the NIVA testing facility in Norway. The tests successfully showed the system to achieve both the standard Most Probable Number (MPN regrowth) method and the more exacting Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) and chloromethylfluorescein diacetate (CMFDA) or ‘instant kill’ benchmark method.
Further testing of remaining water salinities are scheduled for spring 2016, after which full USCG approval is expected. The company has also stated it is investing some US $3 million in the comprehensive approval programme.
The OBS is certified by a number of classification societies including DNV GL, Lloyd’s, Bureau Veritas, MLIT Japan, and American Bureau of Shipping.
Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen commented:“This is a great endorsement of our system’s effectiveness and the expertise of our team. We’ve been developing our system since founding the company in 1994 and we believe, and testing shows, we have a market leading solution for vessels in our segment.”
