Techcross HYCHLOR 2.0 BWMS Earns USCG Type Approval
Techcross announced its filterless HYCHLOR 2.0 ballast water management system (BWMS) obtained type approval from the U.S. Coast Guard at the end of January 2024.Techcross' HYCHLOR 2.0 is an updated version of the company's HYCHLOR 1.0 system, which received USCG type approval in 2020. Notably, the filter had been eliminated in the HYCHLOR 2.0 system.BMWS filters, which play a role in initially filtering out sediment in seawater, have been a source of many AS service issues due to clogging or maintenance troubles.While the absence of filters may raise concerns about disinfection capability…
Aurora Botnia - RoPax Ferry + Greentech Proving Ground
Built by Rauma Marine Constructions, in Rauma, Finland, and launched in 2021, the 150-meter-long Aurora Botnia boasts a long list of onboard equipment that help it to earn its “green” designation, a label that is confirmed via a Clean Design notation from classification society DNV. The ship is also compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target.Wasaline CEO Peter Ståhlberg describes Aurora Botnia as “a masterpiece of cooperation” and noted that the vessel is over 80% domestic made."I'm really proud of the Aurora Botnia.
Expert BWTS Team Secures Grant from Transport Canada
Mouawad Consulting, Boll & Kirch, bestUV, KraftPowercon and Lower Lakes Towing, have received CAD 5 million from Transport Canada towards a project aimed at addressing technical challenges surrounding the installation, operation, and maintenance of ballast water management systems (BWMS) on vessels operating within the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River (GLSLR) region."The significance of this grant cannot be overstated. Through our partnership with Mouawad Consulting, Boll & Kirch…
Anthony Veder Deploys NAPA’s Logbook System Fleetwide
Software company NAPA will install its electronic reporting and data integration system, NAPA Logbook, across Anthony Veder's fleet of LNG and gas carriers.This shift from manual to electronic logbooks facilitates onboard record-keeping, significantly reducing crew workloads while also streamlining voyage reporting and regulatory compliance. Voyage reports, such as noon and bunkering reports, as well as notices of readiness, departure, and arrivals, are now fully automated. This eliminates duplication and facilitates communication between all stakeholders…
Techcross Expands Environmental Solutions Portfolio
Techcross, a comprehensive environmental company, will participate in the 2023 Kormarine.Techcross, known for its performance and sales in electrolysis-type ballast water management systems (BWMS), will showcase its expansion into new business areas alongside its existing BWMS at the 2023 Kormarine.As regulations have become more stringent for achieving net-zero and environmental protection goals, Techcross has diversified its lineup of ESD (Energy Saving Device) aimed at improving ship operation efficiency as well as focusing on AMP system.
Burned-out Car Carrier Towed to Dutch Port
A burned-out car carrier off the Dutch coast is being towed to port for salvage, Dutch authorities said on Thursday.The Fremantle Highway, which was travelling from Germany to Egypt when the blaze broke out on July 26, will be towed from its current location north of the islands Ameland and Schiermonnikoog to nearby harbour Eemshaven, the Dutch public works and water management ministry said in a statement."Most of the ship has now been inspected and there are no indications that there is still fire on board," Rijkswaterstaat said, adding that the situation on board is now stable.The fire aboa
Op/Ed: Technology Manufacturers’ Input More Critical than ever for Effective Maritime Regulations
Next year marks a crucial milestone for the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, with all ships required to meet the D2 standard for ballast water management by 8 September 2024. D2 specifies the maximum number of viable organisms allowed to be discharged. In most cases, it requires the installation of a ballast water management system (BWMS) on board the vessel.2024 will be a pivotal moment for the ballast water market and while it is true that the retrofit market will diminish and leave behind only a small newbuild market…
MEPC 80: Action Taken on Range of Environmental Regulations
The IMO’s MEPC 80 session adopted the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships and advanced other environmental initiatives.The revised IMO GHG Strategy includes an enhanced common ambition to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping close to 2050, a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030, as well as indicative check-points for 2030 and 2040:1. to reduce the total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 20%, striving for 30%, by 2030, compared to 2008; and2.
IMO to Review GHG Strategy and More at MEPC 80
The IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) - 80th session will meet at IMO Headquarters in London from July 3-7, and amongst key agenda items, the MEPC 80 session is expected to adopt an upgraded IMO greenhouse gas strategy.The revised IMO GHG Strategy will contain concrete greenhouse gas reduction targets for the sector and is expected to outline a range of technical and economic measures. Negotiations have been ongoing and will continue during the Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (ISWG-GHG 15)…
Techcross Retrofits BWMS in Tanker's Engine Room
Ballast water management system company Techcross said it has installed a BWMS in the engine room of an existing tanker. This installation method, called the “Engine Room Solution”, was patented under the name of Techcross in Korea in 2016 and has been applied only to new ships so far. However, this is the first time it has been applied to an existing ship.One set of ECS 1000B model was installed on the 50,400 PC tanker owned by Horizon Tankers Limited S.A. (under Target Marine Group), based in Greece, using Techcross’ Engine Room Solution.
Hydrogen-powered Inland Containership Launched
Dutch shipping company Future Proof Shipping (FPS) on Thursday officially launched the first hydrogen-powered zero-emissions inland container ship, H2 Barge 1, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.Earlier in the week, Nike introduced the H2 Barge 1 at its European Logistics Campus in Laakdal, Belgium. As part of its journey toward a zero carbon and zero waste future, Nike is partnering with Future Proof Shipping (FPS) and BCTN Network of Inland Terminals, to accelerate zero-emission shipping.Future Proof Shipping’s zero-emissions 110m x 11.45m inland containership…
US Coast Guard: Latvia Records Highest Detention Ratio in 2022
The US Coast Guard’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has released its U.S. Port State Control Annual Report for 2022, with Latvia noted as having the highest detention ratio, ahead of Bolivia.The report lists highest risk flag administrations based on their 2020-2022 detention ratio as: Latvia (57.14%), Bolivia (31.25%), Togo (7.69%), Curacao (4.88%), Italy (3.39%), Turkey (2.90%) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (2.30%).Medium risk flag administrations were Cyprus…
Optimarin Expands into China to Boost BWTS Availability for Shipbuilders
Optimarin is setting up a manufacturing base in China to boost the availability of its ballast water treatment system (BWTS) for the Asian shipbuilding market. It also targets further retrofits of the existing fleet.The Norwegian BWTS supplier is now pursuing partnerships with several Chinese suppliers to focus on high-quality production of BWTS components at a reasonable cost for delivery to regional yards, according to Optimarin’s Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing Tore…
Shallow-draft LNG Carrier Dapeng Princess Delivered
Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. has delivered a newly built shallow-draft liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier for Dapeng Princess LNG Transportation (Holdings) Co., Ltd.The 7,9600m3 Dapeng Princess, officially handed over during a ceremony on February 18, is the world’s largest shallow water channel fourth-generation medium-sized LNG carrier, which hangs the Singapore flag and was listed into the China Classification Society (CCS) classification.
Q&A: Ballast Water Management Market Matures
Since the ballast water management system discussion started nearly two decades ago, a clear concern was the ability to fit new equipment on existing ships, placing a strain on both space and power. Last month we caught up with a few key suppliers to for their insights on market development.How many BWMS have you sold and installed to date?Maxime Dedeurwaerder, BIO-UV GroupLast year has proven to be the best on record, with roughly 200 BIO-Sea units delivered. All told, since we entered the ballast water market, we have about 700 units in service or pending commissioning.
Techcross Reports Strong Start to 2023
South Korea-based Techcross reported it has started off 2023 strong with its first order in a new business area.The company, widely known for its ballast water management systems (BWMS), in 2022 expanded its product lineup to include a tank level gauging systems (TLGS ) and valve remote control systems (VRCS). The company also rolled out an IBTV (Integrated BWMS/TLGS/VRCS), an IoT-applied control platform that can integrate all the equipment for optimal operation, and service…
Marine News' Top Vessels of 2022
The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted the most notable newbuilds delivered in 2022. From sturdy and nimble workboats, to the first new Jones Act laker in a generation, each vessel on display showcases the industry’s engineering prowess and technological ingenuity, with the focus on improving efficiency in operations. The maritime industry has no shortage of challenges to overcome, and each of Marine News’ top vessels will, in one way or another, aid efforts to tackle them.Mark W.
Techcross’ BWMS Get LR Cyber Security Certificate
Techcross’ ballast water management systems have received Lloyd's Register's Cyber Security Capability certification.The company said that the two models that received the certificate are ECS, direct electrolysis and HYCHLOR, indirect electrolysis.According to, LR Classification that Techcross is the first company to receive the Cyber Security Capability certification in the BWMS industry and Asia. With the recent development of smart ships, ship management has transitioned to being computer-driven…
BWC Contracts with Ecochlor Containerized BWMS Solution
Ballast Water Containers, part of the Malin group, said it has secured a contract from Ecochlor for the design and manufacture of a containerized ballast water management system. An offshore container will house Ecochlor’s EcoOne BWMS and the unit will be installed on a semi-submersible drilling rig. With treatment components supplied by Ecochlor, the BWC team will manage both the design and fabrication of the customized container, which will need to withstand harsh offshore conditions, with temperatures ranging from lows of - 20 degrees C to highs of + 45 degrees. As the container is housed on a semi-submersible, a custom design is…
Performance Shipping Buys Secondhand Aframax Tanker
Greek shipowner Performance Shipping on Thursday announced it has signed a memorandum of agreement to purchase a secondhand 105,408 dwt LR2 Aframax oil product tanker for $43.75 million.The vessel, Fos Hamilton, was built by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2013 and is equipped with an eco-electronic engine and ballast water management system (BWMS). It is scheduled to be delivered to the company in mid-December 2022 and will be renamed P. Long Beach.Performance Shipping said it will finance the acquisition with cash proceeds from the previously announced sale its oldest vessel, P. Fos, as well as a new senior secured facility.Andreas Michalopoulos…
US Inland Waterways: Looking for Rainmakers
As 2022 moves into its final months, low water levels and drought form the basis of the news impacting inland waterways operators and barge companies. In the first week of October, numerous barges were reported grounded in the Mississippi River, particularly south of Baton Rouge. This has consequences: barge rates jumped 218% in St. Louis, compared to 2021.Low water was so severe that on October 7 Ingram Barge CEO John Roberts issued a force majeure notice (force majeure - unforeseeable…
Foreship Makes a Pair of Senior Appointments
Foreship made two senior appointments to grow its design and technology capabilities to support shipping’s sustainable future. From November 1, Joonatan Haukilehto joins Foreship as Lead Consultant, Newbuilds & Decarbonization, while Pekka Pohjanen is appointed Senior Technology Specialist, Sustainability.Based at Foreship’s Helsinki head office, Haukilehto and Pohjanen add extensive expertise in advanced marine technologies and ship decarbonization to the leading naval architecture and marine engineering firm’s consultancy knowhow to serve the cruise and commercial shipping industries.
Ballast Water Management is Reducing the Flow of Invasive Species into the Great Lakes
Freshwater ecosystems are threatened by a host of environmental stressors from human activities. Among the most insidious and impactful of these is invasion by non-native species.Over the past two centuries, established populations of nearly 190 non-native species of invertebrates, fishes, plants and microbes have been discovered in the Great Lakes basin. They were introduced through several sources and pathways including canals, pet release, bait bucket dumping, aquaculture escapes…