Independent Lab News

Ecochlor, Inc. announced it has wrapped up land-based and shipboard testing for its filterless EcoOne ballast water management system (BWMS) in preparation for an application for USCG and IMO BWMS Code Type Approvals.DNV was chosen to act as the Independent Lab (IL) throughout the entire process and has been responsible for the evaluation, inspection, testing oversight and submission of the EcoOne BWMS Type Approval applications.The land-based biological efficacy (BE) testing, was undertaken by the Golden Bear Research Center (GBRC) in California, USA.

Extensions, type approvals and next steps were all prominent on the agenda.September’s Ballast Water Management and Technology North America conference saw USCG staff from the Office of Operating and Environmental Standards and the Marine Safety Center giving conference attendees an update on various aspects of the Coast Guard’s ballast water program. Following is a recap of those presentations for our readers who were unable to attend:Ms. Regina Bergner and Mr. Matthew Reudelhuber with the Office of Operating and Environmental Standards, and Lt.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has accepted VapCor Cleanol HDW1 into the Safer Choice program. This is a related program to Designed for the Environment (DFE) an environmental program run by the EPA that helps consumers, businesses and purchasers find products that perform well and are safer for human health and the environment. This new program requires a performance criteria and also categorizes the various cleaners by industry and makes different requirements within the category. VapCor Cleanol HDW1, in the marine category, can now be considered an EPP (environmentally preferred product) as per VGP 2013. The additional…

Envirocleanse LLC recently submitted a Letter of Intent to the U.S. Coast Guard and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) indicating that the company will apply for Type Approval of its patented Envirocleanse inTank ballast water treatment system (BWTS). Envirocleanse, a division of Charter Brokerage, a BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY company, produces a BWTS called inTank, which combines a proprietary membrane technology for the production of the nontoxic, noncorrosive biocide hypochlorous acid (HOCl) with the U.S. Geological Survey patented “nozzle system” for dispersion in the ballast tanks. Seattle based marine consultancy, Glosten, is a strategic partner in this endeavor, holding the patent rights to the nozzle system and providing engineering expertise.

After completion of land-based tests with marine, brackish and fresh water – all using the current ballast water treatment system design – a test report package for PureBallast has now been finalized by the independent lab DNV GL. Consequently, Alfa Laval has filed its type approval application with the US Coast Guard for the PureBallast 3 family. Alfa Laval is headed for US Coast Guard type approval in ballast water treatment. As expected, the company completed all tests of PureBallast during the summer of this year.

We are proud to announce that Turkey-based Ulusoy Denizyollari Isletmeciligi A.S. has selected the Trojan Marinex Ballast Water Treatment (BWT) system to retrofit 12 vessels, including bulk carriers. The project was secured in conjunction with Trojan Marinex Turkish channel partner Esko Marine. “Being the first in the world to have submitted for United States Coast Guard Type Approval, we are committed to providing vessel owners the certifications they need to not interrupt their business of trade,” says Christian Williamson, Senior Vice President, Trojan Technologies. “Ulusoy required not only regulatory compliance confidence but also a solution that was both compact and seamless to operate, minimizing disruption to the vessel and crew.

BIO-UV informs it has started the process of USCG Type Approval for its BIO-SEA BBWTS. Land-based and shipboard tests are currently underway. The original design has been retained, due to its efficient and relevant technology, and some technical improvements have been made. BIO-SEA is already IMO approved since 2013 and AMS accepted since 2014. The entire USCG certification is performed by the independent Lab DNV and the certified DHI laboratory. Land-based tests are held in Denmark at the DHI test facilities.

Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, the 25th commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard has a full plate. Driving sexual assault out of the Coast Guard; Preparing the fleet for operations through the year 2061; Coordinating intel and assets to stem the flow of illegal drugs ... they are all on the short list. From his Washington, DC, HQ he shares his vision and mission with Maritime Reporter. You are almost a year in this position as the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. Looking back, critique year one.

I had never personally met with U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft before I sat with him in his office at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C., last month, but having sat with a long list of government, military and corporate leaders in my time, my expectations were someone who was confident, focused and, well, commanding. He’s all that and more, but what I did not expect was that the Commandant would be faster than I to the Tweet! (I rationalize by telling myself that his Public Affairs staff offers a quick hand in this regard).

DESMI Ocean Guard’s RayClean Ballast Water Treatment System (BWTS) has earned Alternate Management System (AMS) acceptance from the United States Coast Guard (USCG). On January 30, 2015, the USCG granted AMS acceptance to RayClean BWTS, the system’s developer DESMI Ocean Guard A/S announced today. The AMS acceptance covers all salinities ranging from freshwater to marine water, something that only eight out of 52 issued AMS acceptances have achieved to date. In addition, the RayClean BWTS AMS acceptance contains no limitation with regard to temperature of the water to be treated.

Trojan Marinex announced that Damen Shipyards have selected the Trojan Marinex Ballast Water Treatment (BWT) system for a fleet of Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) it is building for Atlantic Towing Limited – a Canadian-owned marine transportation company. “It’s been an exciting year for us,” said Marv DeVries, president, Trojan Technologies. “Our entire product suite achieved IMO Type Approval in March, AMS acceptance in August, and we are on course for U.S. Coast Guard Type Approval.

Trojan Marinex today announced that Laurin Maritime has selected the Trojan Marinex Ballast Water Treatment (BWT) system for its 11-vessel tanker fleet. “Laurin Maritime and Trojan Marinex is an outstanding partnership,” said Dr. Christian Williamson, vice president, Trojan Technologies. “Our vessels sail in waters in the United States, and we are convinced that the Trojan Marinex system offers Laurin Maritime the ability to meet emerging regulatory requirements, especially requirements for U.S. Coast Guard Type approval,” explained Capt.

Ballast water treatment system RayClean, developed by DESMI Ocean Guard, has received IMO and DNV type approval. On September 5, 2014 DNV GL issued type approval certificate for the RayClean system. The type approval certificate includes approval according to both the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention and the DNV type approval program. The type approval is unique because this is the first time a ballast water treatment system has been tested fully according to both IMO and U.S. Coast Guard requirements, DESMI said. This is also revealed on the certificate where it is stated that the RayClean system has undergone 15 land-based tests, five in each salinity, and five shipboard tests as per U.S. Coast Guard test requirements.

Trojan Marinex ballast water treatment system receives U.S. Trojan Technologies’ Trojan Marinex ballast water treatment (BWT) product suite is one of the few to receive United States Coast Guard (USCG) Alternate Management System (AMS) acceptance, in accordance with the USCG’s final rule for Standards for Living Organisms in Ships’ Ballast Water Discharged in U.S. waters, for all water qualities: freshwater, brackish water and marine water. While AMS is an important certification, Trojan said USCG Type Approval continues to be its main objective.

The NSF International Independent Laboratory (IL), the first designated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to test ballast water management systems (BWMS) for U.S. type approval, will now include the American Bureau of Shipping’s (ABS) expertise. ABS will complete design/construction and documentation reviews as part of the type approval, and will work with three other IL partners to maximize the value of USCG type approval testing for BWMS manufacturers. ABS will also evaluate the appropriateness of the systems for installation and operation onboard vessels. NSF’s IL partnership, formed in 2012, includes Retlif Testing Laboratories, the Great Ships Initiative, the Maritime Environmental Resource Center and now ABS.

Trojan Technologies announced that the Trojan Marinex Ballast Water Treatment (BWT) product suite has obtained IMO Type Approval from DNV on behalf of the Norwegian Maritime Directorate. “We are the largest UV company in the world, and are committed to providing pioneering water treatment technologies that meet the highest standards and help protect and preserve our environment,” said Marvin DeVries, president, Trojan Technologies. “The IMO Type Approved Trojan Marinex product suite is a reflection of our forward-looking commitment to our customers.

Trojan Technologies announced that the Trojan Marinex Ballast Water Treatment (BWT) product suite has obtained International Maritime Organization (IMO) Type Approval from Det Norske Veritas (DNV) on behalf of the Norwegian Maritime Directorate. “We are the largest UV company in the world, and are committed to providing pioneering water treatment technologies that meet the highest standards and help protect and preserve our environment,” said Marvin DeVries, president, Trojan Technologies.

On October 11, 2013, DESMI Ocean Guard’s ballast water treatment system OxyClean was granted U.S. Coast Guard AMS acceptance. The AMS acceptance covers all salinities ranging from freshwater to marine water. This is the first time the USCG has released an AMS acceptance that covers all salinities, as all previously released acceptances are valid in only marine and brackish water, and hence not valid in freshwater. Since the very beginning of the development of the OxyClean system, DESMI said it has been focused on developing a system that will work in all salinities.

CCG with partners UES Malaysia and Vee-Tek Australia Epoxy will be given an award in the sector of Raw Materials at the JEC Asia Composites Show & Conferences in Singapore, June 2013. Composite solutions are successfully used in the auto, aircraft and marine industry, as well as in the fields of mass transportation, construction and wind energy. The development is ongoing and new solutions are continuously announced. One of them will be presented at the JEC conference in June. The task was to develop an infusible epoxy resin of high strength properties and with excellent FST capability. CCG teamed up with UES Malaysia, excelling in the construction of composite military vessels, and the Australia-based epoxy manufacturing company Vee-Tek.

A stagnant economy, threat of overcapacity and canceled cruises due to repairs and late deliveries have conspired to slow the hyper-growth cruise industry has enjoyed for the past decade. Even last year's new Millennium, which burst onto the cruise scene with its new gas turbine propulsion, had its share of troubles. Despite unparalleled reassurance by Celebrity that Millennium's propulsion problem was remedied, Infinity, its sistership, which was delivered this past Spring, recently experienced new problems with faulty bearings in its propulsion system — forcing the line to cancel two weeks of sailings. In addition, Celebrity's Galaxy dealt with a damaged propeller, causing lost money and cruises on that vessel.