Alfa Laval will begin implementing a new production line for the company’s PureBallast 3 ballast water treatment system in Qingdao, China this year
The company expects the line to gradually expand to include the full flow range by the end of 2022 and it will support Alfa Laval’s regional shipyard relationships as the ballast water treatment market shifts towards Asia.
Asia is already a key market for Alfa Laval with most PureBallast 3 installations taking place at Asian shipyards. The manufacturer said it expects Asian shipyards to gain an even greater presence when the global wave of ballast water treatment system retrofits begins to subside in 2024 and the focus shifts towards newbuildings.
The company’s head of PureBallast, Peter Sahlén said “We are growing with our customers, and the future of ballast water treatment installations is undoubtedly in Asia. By strengthening the lead times, flexibility and local proximity that bring value to shipyards, our investment in Qingdao will expand the strong support Alfa Laval already provides to Asian customers.”
Production will commence at Alfa Laval’s factory in Qingdao adding physical supply strengths to Alfa Laval’s regional offering in ballast water treatment. The company also operates a Competence Centre in Shanghai from which it provides customer support, technical support and project management services.
Mr Sahlén said building up PureBallast 3 production in Qingdao will mean simpler logistics with advantages for Asian yards. Regional customers will have convenient access to the product itself and the customer support.
For vessels that continue doing business in Asia after installing PureBallast 3, Alfa Laval provides a network of support with local spare parts hubs and training resources, combined with 24/7 service access and field service engineers dispatched from within the region.
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