SeaCURE Ballast System Earns Type Approval

The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of Germany (Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie- BSH) has granted type approval for the SeaCURE Ballast Water Management System. The SeaCURE system is now a product of Evoqua Water Technologies, formerly Siemens Water Technologies.

BSH’s type approval of the SeaCURE system concludes the international approval process that began with the basic approval and then final approval granted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2012. The SeaCURE system utilizes a patented process* that first injects biocide into ballast seawater before it reaches the large surface filter intakes to reduce the growth of marine organisms that can clog the filters. Next, Chloropac concentric tubular electrodes (CTE) generate sodium hypochlorite from the natural salinity in sea water which eliminates the need to purchase biocides and store or replenish them onboard. The SeaCURE system also features low energy requirements and low maintenance costs due to the self-cleaning feature of the CTE technology. Proprietary control logic monitors the biocide dose level necessary to provide the required efficacy depending on ballast water conditions. Chloropac electrodes have been proven in more than 2,500 installations worldwide over the past 35 years.

“The proven CTE technology used in the SeaCURE system provides an energy efficient and low maintenance alternative to treat ballast water treatment without adding chemicals,” said Lars Nupnau, Evoqua director of Marine Global Business Development. “This type of approved solution can enable ship owners and operators to cost-effectively meet invasive aquatic species environmental regulations.”

SeaCURE is available as a compact skid or as modular components depending on customer requirements for installation in new builds and existing ships. It is particularly well-suited for retrofit installations because biocide generation takes place in a small side stream from the ballast water main to minimize footprint and maximize available space. The side stream generation method offers advantages for installation on tankers because the modules can be placed in a way that only the filter and analyzer module are installed in the hazardous area of the cargo pump room, while the main parts of the system remain in the safe area.