Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore awards MINT ((Maritime Innovation & Technology) funding to LiqTech International, Inc. subsidiary LiqTech Pte Ltd.
The award is for the development of a Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS). LiqTech Pte Ltd based in Singapore will be test-bedding its proprietary Silicon Carbide (SiC) membrane to configure a high efficiency and robust filtration solution for BWTS to meet the standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The Maritime and Port of Authority of Singapore (endowed with the MINT Fund provides support in the maritime industry towards education, training and research and development) is providing funding support towards LiqTech's development of a robust BWTS.
IMO, under its International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to another, by establishing standards and procedures for the management and control of ships' ballast water and sediments. It is estimated that a total number 60,000 vessels worldwide will require a BWTS.
General Manager LiqTech Pte, Mr. Kum Leong Lee commented, "We are very pleased with the support and recognition by The Maritime and Port of Authority of Singapore (MPA). We see a great potential for SiC membranes to provide a high filtration performance not seen in the marketplace today. Filtration units based on SiC membranes will deliver optimal operating conditions for any disinfection technology to complete a BWTS."
Together with a Singapore engineering firm, LiqTech will commence its development of the BWTS this quarter 2012.