Ballast Water Containers (BWC) of the UK can now offer its portable treatment unit with a USCG type-approved Ecochlor treatment unit, following what the two companies termed a “strategic collaboration” in an announcement today (12 October).
BWC’s chief executive Richard Lawson told MP that Ecochlor’s single stage treatment technology, operating during uptake only, was a key factor that impressed him in reaching the agreement with the US-based company.
It already offers containerised versions of other ballast water management systems and having a choice of technology “is important if we want to fully satisfy the needs of our clients,” he said. “If a client wants a mobile system and has a preference for a particular technology then we are now in a better position to meet these demands.”
Today’s announcement quoted Ecochlor president Tom Perlich, who said that BWC’s methodology “will be welcomed by regulators around the world and satisfy a vital portion of the ballast water treatment market.” In particular, it could extend the useful life of older vessels which would avoid the expense of installing permanent systems.
Since IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention came into force last month, “interest in mobile containerised treatment systems continues to grow,” Mr Lawson said “but first a vessel owner has to be satisfied that a retrofit is not their best option.”
For example, he suggested to MP, “it may not be cost effective to retrofit every vessel in an owner’s fleet” or, for some owners and operators, “a mobile containerised Ecochlor treatment system operated from the quayside may be the ideal set-up.” Barges and oil rigs may also be well suited to a mobile containerised system, he said.
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