Ballast Water Expert Group News

Electrochlorination equipment supplier De Nora announced that Dr. Stelios Kyriacou has been appointed as General Manager of its BALPURE Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) business unit. Dr. Kyriacou joins De Nora Water Technologies from Wärtsilä, where he managed the research, development, design and certification of the full Wärtsilä BWMS range. He previously undertook the same role at Hamworthy from 2009 until its acquisition by Wärtsilä and held roles at Hatlapa Marine Equipment. Dr.

Joined up thinking from two marine technology suppliers addresses impending legislation for Ballast Water Treatment and offers a practical solution for monitoring and recording the correct discharge of ballast water, in real-time. The International Maritime Organizations 2004 Ballast Water Management Convention lays down strict guidelines for the treatment and discharge of ballast water. Already in force as of January 1, 2015 in U.S. waters, universal ratification is expected to occur during the next six months.

The introduction of non-native species via the discharge of ship’s ballast water is one of the main threats to marine biodiversity, with alien species often capable of out-competing native species – effective ballast water management (BWM) and the dissemination of good practice are thus essential throughout the marine community, which is why the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) is the host of a BWM Special Interest Group, the Ballast Water Expert Group (BWEG). ‘Friends of BWEG’ include the International Maritime Organization’s GloBallast Partnerships Project, which is supporting the inaugural IMarEST Ballast Water Technology Conference, with its theme ‘Impending Convention Requirements and Challenges’.