Revised G8 Certificate for Alfa Laval PureBallast 3
PureBallast 3, the third generation ballast water treatment technology from Swedish manufacturer Alfa Laval, is the first solution to be type approved according to the revised IMO G8 testing requirements. DNV GL, acting on behalf of the Norwegian Maritime Authority, issued an updated type approval certificate on February 2, making Alfa Laval the first supplier compliant with the revised G8 demands.
The revised G8 guidelines, which are more in line with the stringent U.S. Coast Guard requirements, stem from the fact that some systems which were type approved according to the original G8 guidelines have failed to meet the D-2 performance standard when subjected to additional tests or evaluation.
Ballast water treatment systems approved under the former guidelines can still be installed until 2020, and no upgrades of previously installed systems will be necessary. Despite there being no immediate need to purchase a system with revised G8 compliance, Alfa Laval said readiness for revised G8 compliance shows PureBallast is a robust solution that will let ship owners make the most of their investment.
“Ship owners can be fully confident that PureBallast 3 offers the performance to secure their compliance and protect our environment,” said Anders Lindmark, Head of Alfa Laval PureBallast. “Our customers require future-proof solutions, which is why certification in compliance with the revised G8 guidelines has been a high priority for Alfa Laval.”
Alfa Laval said it took into account customer concerns and legislative developments, and was early to begin biological efficacy testing according to the new G8 regime. Tests with marine, brackish and fresh water were completed in Q3 2017, along with additional tests to verify the independence of results from water temperature.
After review and reporting by DNV GL on behalf of the Norwegian Maritime Authority, Alfa Laval received approval of the industry’s first revised G8 certificate with only a single sensor added to the PureBallast 3 hardware and no changes to its power consumption or flow.
“The fact that no major changes were needed proves once again the robustness of the PureBallast technology,” Lindmark said. “With both U.S. Coast Guard type approval and revised G8 compliance in hand, PureBallast 3 provides a single, future-proof solution for entire fleets.”