Joe Thomas News

Wärtsilä has submitted its Aquarius Electro-Chlorination (EC) Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) for U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Type Approval (TA) after successfully completing all the testing procedures required. Wärtsilä received type approval from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2013 for the Electro-Chlorination system and the same successful design was used for the USCG application. This current testing has again proven the consistent performance of the Wärtsilä solution, and demonstrates the high reliability, robustness and effectiveness of the system. “Achieving this significant USCG testing milestone is a major step forward for the product.

Four new 3,300 TEU containerships being built for the French shipping group CMA CGM will feature Wärtsilä Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS). This is the third series of vessels for which the same owner has selected the Wärtsilä BWMS solution, making a total of 10 ships in all. These latest vessels are being built at the Cosco Zhoushan shipyard in China, and the contract with Wärtsilä was signed in the fourth quarter of 2016. The BWMS system chosen for these vessels is a 500m3 per hour capacity Wärtsilä Aquarius UV system. This uses a simple two-stage process involving filtration and ultra-violet (UV) irradiation. Delivery of the equipment to the yard is scheduled to begin in July of this year.

Wärtsilä has signed a manufacturing license agreement with Jiujiang Precision Measuring Technology Research Institute, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), based in Jiujiang, China. The two-way agreement provides CSSC with access to technology and the rights to manufacture the Wärtsilä Aquarius EC Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) under license for applications to CSSC customers. In return, Wärtsilä gains access to CSSC's new manufacturing facility, thereby further supporting supply and demand needs for the Wärtsilä BWMS direct to Wärtsilä customers. The agreement was signed in Jiujiang on 5th December 2016 and is implemented with immediate effect.

The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) International Convention for the Control and Management of ships' ballast water and sediments (BWM Convention) has been ratified and will enter into force on September 8, 2017. The treaty will ultimately require vessels in excess of 400 GRT to have a type approved BWMS installed and operating in accordance with the convention guidelines, and which conforms to the Regulation D2 discharge performance standard. Systems manufacturer…

Wärtsilä has proactively planned and developed its range of Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) solutions in anticipation of the ratification of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) ballast water convention. The minimum levels of acceptance have now been achieved and the convention is ratified. The International Convention for the Control and Management of ships' ballast water and sediments (BWM Convention) will enter into force on 8 September, 2017. Finland is the latest country to sign the instrument of accession, bringing the number of countries to 52, which is far more than the minimum of 30 IMO member states required by the convention.

Maersk Tankers A/S of Denmark has selected Wärtsilä's Electro Chlorination (EC) Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) for three new 50,000 DWT medium range (MR) tankers being built at the Samsung Heavy Industries (Ningbo) yard in China. The order was signed in the second quarter of 2016. Ensuring compliance with the upcoming IMO Ballast water management convention is becoming a priority for ship owners, and the selection of Wärtsilä EC systems by Maersk Tankers ensures their future compliance with IMO requirements while USCG type approval is expected to be obtained by Q1 2017. The Wärtsilä Aquarius EC BWMS is compliant in all salinities.

A new crane ship designed by Netherlands based Royal IHC, a global leader in offshore, dredging and mining vessels, will feature the Wärtsilä Aquarius UV Ballast Water Management System (BWMS). The first vessel of this design is currently under construction at a shipyard in China. It is being built for Scaldis Salvage BV, a Belgium based offshore marine contractor. The contract with Wärtsilä was signed in the third quarter, 2015. The Wärtsilä BWMS to be supplied has been specially designed to meet the space requirements of this vessel. In addition to the compact solution, Wärtsilä has also provided engineering support to both the designer and end-user so that the system can be correctly operated in accordance with the regulations.

Eleven container vessels owned by Bernhard Schulte GmbH & Co. KG, based in Germany, are to be retrofitted with Wärtsilä Aquarius Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS). This is one of the largest single retrofit contracts thus far issued for BWMS solutions. The contract was signed in July. "This significant order is a clear indication that the major ship owners are actively securing procurement for quality BWMS in anticipation of ratification of the IMO's ballast water treaty. Wärtsilä has both experience and deep know-how in this field, and can offer reliability and long term support to ensure that customers have the optimal solution for their specific needs.

Eleven container vessels owned by Bernhard Schulte GmbH & Co. KG, based in Germany, are to be retrofitted with Wärtsilä Aquarius Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS), Wärtsilä announced today. The 11 containerships to be retrofitted range in size from 2,600 to 5,600 TEU and are managed by affiliate Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement through offices in Greece, Hong Kong, India and Singapore. Wärtsilä will begin delivering the systems this year, and the retrofits will be completed by 2017. Dr.

Wärtsilä has signed a manufacturing license agreement with COSCO (Weihai) Shipbuilding Marine Technology Company Limited (WECOSCO) based in Weihai, China. The two-way agreement provides COSCO with access to technology and the rights to manufacture the Wärtsilä Aquarius Electro Chlorination (EC) Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) under license for application in its global marine market. In return, Wärtsilä gains access to an additional manufacturing facility able to assist with supply and demand of the Wärtsilä BWMS direct to Wärtsilä customers.

A series of eight new 33,000 DWT chemical tankers, currently under construction in Asia, will feature Wärtsilä Aquarius UV Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) each of which is certified for explosion proof (EX) requirements. This means that the BWMS units can be installed in Zone 1 hazardous areas. It is an International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirement that the BWMS for ships having hazardous areas on board must be EX-proof certified. This contract, which was signed in January, is the first EX-system delivery since the Wärtsilä Aquarius UV system was granted EX-certification in spring 2014. Each of the eight vessels will have two Wärtsilä Aquarius UV systems installed.

Six new bulk carriers being built at the Namura and Onomichi shipyards in Japan are to be fitted with 12 Wärtsilä Aquarius UV ballast water management systems (BWMS). The Wärtsilä systems will enable the vessels to comply with anticipated International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations. The contracts were signed in October. Japan has recently ratified the IMO's Ballast Water Management Convention, and these orders are the first for Aquarius UV systems for newbuild vessels from a Japanese shipyard.

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has granted Alternate Management System (AMS) acceptance for Wärtsilä's Aquarius EC Ballast Water Management System (BWMS). This allows all US and foreign flag ships fitted with this system to operate in US territorial waters and to discharge treated ballast water for an interim period of up to five years from the ship specific implementation date. AMS acceptance is the first stage towards obtaining full USCG type approval. Wärtsilä anticipates having all activities necessary to gain full US type approval completed within the five year interim period. When ratified, the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Ballast Water Management Convention will require the owners of up to 40,000 vessels worldwide to install a BWMS.

A total of 22 bulk carriers, being built by Yangzhou Guoyu Shipbuilding Co. Ltd in China for Singapore based Pioneer Marine, will feature Wärtsilä Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS). The Wärtsilä systems will enable the vessels to comply fully with the IMO's ballast water convention. The contracts were finalized in August. Each of the 38,000 DWT vessels will be fitted with two Wärtsilä AQUARIUS UV BWMS, and the scope of supply includes also the commissioning and sea trials of the equipment.

Wärtsilä informs that a new semi-submersible accommodation and construction vessel (floatel) being built for Floatel International AB, the Swedish offshore floatel owner and operator, will feature two Wärtsilä AQUARIUS UV ballast water management systems (BWMS) and other Wärtsilä equipment. The vessel, the 'Floatel Triumph', is currently under construction at Keppel FELS. It is scheduled to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2015. The complete Wärtsilä scope of supply includes, in addition to the two AQUARIUS BWMS units, a series of Wärtsilä engine room pumps, and a pre-engineered integrated auxiliary equipment module. Wärtsilä explains that the 'Floatel Triumph' is designed for operation in demanding environment, and is being built in accordance with ABS class standards.

Two Ro-Ro ferries owned by U.K.-based Condor Ferries are to be retrofitted with Wärtsilä's new AQUARIUS READY ballast water management system (BWMS) solution. The AQUARIUS READY concept has been developed by Wärtsilä to prepare vessels for the fitting of BWMS, while minimizing vessel downtime, thereby enabling more efficient operations. The contract was signed in February 2014 and the final equipment delivery will take place within 12 months from the ratification of the IMO Ballast Water Convention. Preparation work has already been undertaken onboard the ferries.

Two Ro-Ro ferries owned by UK based Condor Ferries are to be retrofitted with Wärtsilä's new AQUARIUS READY ballast water management system (BWMS) solution. The AQUARIUS READY concept has been developed by Wärtsilä to prepare vessels for the fitting of BWMS, while minimising vessel downtime, thereby enabling more efficient operations. The actual equipment installation and commissioning will take place at a time convenient to the owners following ratification of the IMO Convention. Preparation work has already been undertaken onboard the ferries.

Wärtsilä inform that its AQUARIUS UV Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) has successfully completed verification testing for explosion proof (EX) requirements, enabling it to be operated for Zone 1 hazardous area operation in marine and offshore installations. The verification was handled through DEKRA, a Notified Body in Germany and a leading global provider of auditing and certification services, specialising in the fields of safety, environment and health. The manufacturers…

Wärtsilä say that their AQUARIUS®EC (Electro-Chlorination) Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) has been granted International Maritime Organization (IMO) Type Approval. The approval is in accordance with the requirements of the 2004 IMO Convention for the control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments and is an essential certification pre-requisite for the system to be used onboard ships. The Type Approval was attained in co-operation with the Flag Administration of the Netherlands, independent testing facilities, and the Lloyds Register classification society.

Wärtsilä has won a contract to supply ballast water management systems (BWMS) to four platform supply vessels (PSVs) for Tidewater Marine, L.L.C., a provider of offshore service vessels to the global energy industry. The scope of supply for the vessels, due for delivery from the Cosco (Guangdong) Shipyard in 2014, includes four 250m3/hr capacity Wärtsilä Aquarius UV BWMS, which will be assembled and shipped from Wärtsilä’s manufacturing facility in the UK. The contract was signed with Cosco shipyard in August.

Wärtsilä wins contract to supply AQUARIUS® UV ballast water management systems to four Tidewater Marine Platform Supply Vessels (PSV). The scope of supply for the vessels, due for delivery from the COSCO (Guangdong) Shipyard in 2014, includes four 250m3/hr capacity Wärtsilä AQUARIUS®UV BWMS, which will be assembled and shipped from Wärtsilä’s manufacturing facility in the UK. Ballast water treatment with the AQUARIUS® UV system is achieved through a two stage process. Upon uptake the sea water is first passed through a back washing filter (First stage). The filtered sea water then passes through a UV chamber (Second stage) where ultra-violet light is used to disinfect the water prior to entering the ballast tank.

IMO environment committee approves Wärtsilä’s AQUARIUS EC ballast water management system. Wärtsilä’s AQUARIUS EC ballast water management system (BWMS) has been granted BASIC Approval by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) during its 64th session in London, which commenced on 1st October 2012. The initial application for BASIC Approval of the AQUARIUS EC system was submitted to the IMO through the Dutch Human Environment…

Wärtsilä offers wide range of Ballast Water Management Systems and associated services in the market. Wärtsilä has an agreement with Canada-based Trojan Technologies to offer the Marinex ballast water management system (BWMS), alongside the Wartsila Hamworthy AQUARIUSTM range, which was introduced to the market last year. Wärtsilä now offers a wide range of BWMS and associated services in the market. “We recognise that no one solution will be suitable across all ship types, sizes and environmental conditions…