Containerised ballast system developed for floating wind

BIO-UV Group has developed and tested a containerised ballast water treatment system aimed at the floating offshore wind sector.

The company said the rapid development of floating offshore wind projects worldwide is creating ballast water compliance challenges because floating platforms must move across territorial waters. These movements trigger obligations under the Ballast Water Management Convention.

BIO-UV Group project manager Charlene Ceresola said while the maritime industry has already advanced in ballast water compliance, the floating wind sector is only beginning to recognise its responsibilities.

She said the company’s new containerised system provides a portable and scaleable means of meeting those obligations.

The initiative was supported in 2024 by the European Union’s Elbe Eurocluster programme. It involved adapting BIO-UV’s type-approved BIO-SEA system for deployment in a standard TEU container.

The system is intended to treat ballast water during floating wind turbine assembly, transport and maintenance.

Initial trials were carried out with a 300 m³/h capacity containerised BIO-SEA B02-0340 unit installed at the Euroports-operated Port-la-Nouvelle in France.

Unlike onboard units, the containerised system must dispose of filter backwashed water at the place of discharge, requiring a dedicated waste treatment line.

The prototype was tested in real conditions, addressing issues such as connection compatibility, pressure drops and local power limitations. The trials confirmed the unit’s ability to deliver the dual-stage BIO-SEA treatment of filtration and ultraviolet exposure and to manage backwash effluents for land-based disposal.

Although biological trials were constrained by external factors, initial results indicated that discharge water complied with the D-2 standard.

Phase One of the project, from January to June 2024, focused on engineering and testing the containerised solution. Phase Two, from July to December 2024, broadened the work to market analysis and stakeholder engagement.

Ms Ceresola said the modularity and portability of the unit also allows for use in emergency situations, for example when a ship’s ballast water treatment system fails.

Portable units could be leased or purchased for barge or port deployment, providing a contingency option for operators.

For the floating wind sector, BIO-UV has already provided its first commercial roll-out under a ’ballast as a service’ rental scheme. This approach enables water treatment wherever floating wind platforms are located.

The company reported the success of the Elbe Eurocluster project has drawn attention from Mediterranean ports, including those involved in the EU’s Treasure programme.

Ms Ceresola said BIO-UV can now offer ports and harbours a practical solution for ballast water management and described the outcome as supporting more responsible water practices.