Marine Link
Friday, March 29, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Tore Andersen News

21 Mar 2023

Optimarin Expands into China to Boost BWTS Availability for Shipbuilders

Timely delivery and low cost are important in supplying ballast water treatment systems for newbuilds, according to Optimarin. Photo: Adobe Stock

Optimarin is setting up a manufacturing base in China to boost the availability of its ballast water treatment system (BWTS) for the Asian shipbuilding market. It also targets further retrofits of the existing fleet.The Norwegian BWTS supplier is now pursuing partnerships with several Chinese suppliers to focus on high-quality production of BWTS components at a reasonable cost for delivery to regional yards, according to Optimarin’s Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing Tore…

27 Jul 2020

Optimarin Expands Service and Spare Parts Network

(Image: Optimarin)

Norwegian based ballast water treatment system (BWTS) manufacturer Optimarin announced an agreement with U.S.-based Lee Engineering Supply Company to warehouse critical spare parts and plans to expand its global service network.According to Optimarin CEO, Leiv Kallestad, the agreement represents a step in the company’s efforts to provide after-sale service to owners operating in the Gulf of Mexico. “By warehousing critical spare parts at Lee Engineering’s facilities in Louisiana, we can make sure our customers have rapid access to both spare parts and service, if required,” he says.

03 Sep 2019

Offshore Boosts Optimarin Growth

Ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin said that the recovery of the offshore shipping segment is playing a key role in driving its revenues to new heights.The Stavanger, Norway-based business, which has focused exclusively on BWT for the last 25 years, has just signed a number of fleet agreements, including a contract with Island Offshore for 19 systems, doubling its order intake year on year.“Optimarin has long held the position of the preferred supplier to the offshore segment, so the fact that the industry is recovering – with fewer vessels laid up – is a very positive development for us,” comments Tore Andersen, EVP Sales…

22 May 2019

Optimarin Gears Up for BWMS Retrofit Wave

Tore Andersen (Photo: Optimarin)

Optimarin is growing its staff to effectively handle the growing wave of ballast water management system refit activity.The company, which expects to double its turnover this year, has employed Leiv Kallestad as its new CEO, allowing Tore Andersen, the incumbent, to spend his time enhancing market focus and customer service. In order to handle the expected surge in retrofit installations, expected to peak in 2022-23, Optimarin will now make plans for additional expansion, with growth in the technical and sales departments.Optimarin has now sold 750 of its simple…

30 Jan 2019

Optimarin Sees Early Order Surge in 2019

Photo: Optimarin

In the quarter of a century since its formation in 1994, ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin has never experienced a year quite like 2018.The Norwegian headquartered firm has revealed that the previous 12 months saw it sell more than 100 systems and achieve record revenues. However, according to company CEO Tore Andersen, 2019 is already shaping up to set a new standard, with the orderbook currently five times the size it was at this point in 2018. Revenues, he says…

28 Nov 2018

Subsea7 Upgrades BWTS at Optimarin

An Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) installed on Seven Pacific, a Subsea7 vessel, in 2015 has been upgraded to meet the ballast water treatment system (BWTS) requirements of the United States Coast Guard (USCG).The Norway-based BWTS provider said in a press release that it originally installed its UV-based technology onboard the advanced offshore construction and pipe-laying vessel in 2015. Since that point the 667-m3 market proven system has, according to Seven Pacific Chief Engineer Oddgeir Refvik, been running smoothly, with minimal maintenance and easy operation.Refvik described the upgrade as “very straightforward”. He said: “It only took a couple of hours to perform - basically being a software modification.

24 Sep 2018

Optimarin Secures Large Ardmore Order

(Photo: Optimarin)

Ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin said it has secured a contract to supply 36 systems to Ardmore Shipping, one of the manufacturer’s largest orders to date.The Irish-headquartered shipowner will fit the three dozen units across 18 chemical and product tankers – two units in each vessel. Delivery is due to commence in February next year.Ardmore’s fleet ranges in size from 25,000 to 50,000 dwt. The firm transports petroleum products and chemicals worldwide with its modern…

04 Sep 2018

Optimarin Scores Big Win with USCG OPC Program

(Image courtesy Optimarin)

Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has selected Optimarin to supply the ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) for nine Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC) to be built for the U.S. Coast Guard at the builder's Panama City, Fla. shipyard.The agreement with ESG will see the Optimarin Ballast Systems (OBS) fitted in the new OPCs, designed to support the nation's maritime security and undertake vital border protection duties. Equipped to carry helicopters, Over-the-Horizon (OTH) boats and featuring sophisticated combat systems…

10 Jul 2018

Aquaculture Firm Chooses Optimarin BWTS

Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen (Photo: Optimarin)

DESS Aquaculture, a joint venture between Solstad Farstad and John Fredriksen’s Marine Harvest, has signed a contract to install Optimarin ballast water treatment (BWT) systems on its four newbuild 3,500m3 capacity wellboats.The agreement pushes the number of systems sold by Optimarin so far this year beyond the 50 mark, with recent orders also received from Besiktas Shipping, Eureka Shipping, Solvang, Koyo Kaiun and Ahrenkiel, among others.The four ships, two of which are due for delivery in 2019…

29 May 2018

BWT Market is Accelerating - Optimarin

Tore Andersen (Photo: Optimarin)

Positive developments in the ballast water treatment (BWT) are reflected by a recent surge in new business orders and revenues, says BWT specialist Optimarin.The Norwegian headquartered firm, which has now sold close to 600 of its USCG-approved Optimarin Ballast Systems (OBS), says it has shattered its initial growth forecasts for the year to date, with both orders and income up by over 50 percent year-on-year.“2017 was our best ever year in business, so we honestly didn’t expect to outperform last year’s figures so comprehensively,” states Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen.

20 Nov 2017

Optimarin Offering 5-year Parts and Service Guarantee

Tore Andersen  (Photo: Optimarin)

Norwegian-headquartered ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin said it has become the first manufacturer to offer a five-year parts and servicing guarantee. It’s a move that, according to CEO Tore Andersen, has the potential to redefine ship owners’ expectations from suppliers in this ultra-competitive sector. Optimarin said such long-term plans are enabled by its backing from a stable group of investors, together with its considerable order book. The Optimarin Ballast…

23 Oct 2017

Seatruck Installs BWTS during Normal Service

(Photo: Optimarin)

When the time came to select ballast water treatment systems for retrofit on board its vessels, freight ferry operator Seatruck opted for the Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) for its ships, citing ease of installation, reliability, cost efficiency and complete regulatory compliance as deciding factors. The roll-on roll-off (RoRo) cargo specialist went on to install five systems itself while its vessels were undertaking normal operations – no dry dock required. Seatruck operates a fleet of 10 ferries ranging in capacity from 65-150 trailers…

17 Aug 2017

Optimarin Demonstrates Total System Reliability

Environmentally friendly and compliant BWT technology company  Optimarin gave a demonstration of its long-term system reliability onboard Neptune Subsea’s IMR vessel Larissa in the same week that a report from ABS revealed problems with almost half of installed ballast water treatment (BWT) systems. Optimarin has installed more than 300 of its systems worldwide, with over 500 units ordered. The 334 m3 capacity system onboard the SX130 Ulstein design Larissa was one of the first, installed during its construction by Zhejiang Shipbuilding in 2010. Since that point it has only seen 140 hours of operation. Given its prolonged idle time, Per Ivar Fagervoll…

13 Jun 2017

Optimarin, Goltens Ink Spare Parts and Service Deal

Tore Andersen (Photo: Optimarin)

Optimarin informs it has signed an agreement with Goltens Green Technologies giving the Norwegian-headquartered ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist a global network of spare parts warehousing and service engineers. The framework agreement, negotiated at this month’s Nor-Shipping, will enable Optimarin to use facilities in Asia, North America and the Middle East to provide its worldwide customer base with local lead times for the commissioning and maintenance of its market proven Optimarin Ballast System (OBS). “We know Goltens very well,” said Optimarin CEO, Tore Andersen.

11 May 2017

Optimarin BWT Retrofit Orders Grow

Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen (Photo: Optimarin)

Optimarin has signed contracts with Wisby Tankers and Hoëgh Autoliners to install its market proven Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) on five existing vessels. The agreement, which comes six months after the Norwegian ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist became the first company to win USCG approval, will see Optimarin fitting units on three bitumen tankers for Wisby and two Hoëgh Autoliners RoRo ships. With a fleet of 19 advanced vessels, Wisby Tankers is a niche leader, utilizing smaller tankers for European trades and its larger vessels…

23 Mar 2017

Anglo-Eastern Opens BWT Training Facility

Anglo-Eastern, Optimarin and Saga celebrate the opening of the new BWT training facility (Photo: Optimarin)

Global ship management services provider Anglo-Eastern Ship Management has created a unique ballast water treatment (BWT) training facility at its Manila base in the Philippines. Working in conjunction with BWT specialist Optimarin and Saga Shipholding, Anglo-Eastern has built an essential resource for training crews in the wake of the ratification of the IMO’s Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention. The facility, which officially opened this month, features a fully functional Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) at its heart…

14 Mar 2017

Entire Saga Fleet Globally BWT Compliant

All of Saga's advanced open hatch carriers are now globally BWT compliant (Photo courtesy of Optimarin)

Saga Shipholding has completed the installation of Optimarin Ballast Systems (OBS) throughout its entire fleet of 32 advanced open hatch cargo vessels. In doing so, Saga has become the world’s first shipowner to fit ballast water treatment (BWT) systems that are USCG compliant throughout a fleet of this magnitude. Saga originally chose BWT specialist Optimarin as its supplier of choice in 2011, installing its first system, on-board Saga Future in 2012. Since that point it has rolled the UV-based and environmentally friendly treatment units out across its fleet…

06 Feb 2017

USCG-approved Optimarin Sees Order Influx

Image: Optimarin

Optimarin has signed a new agreement with Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. for the delivery of two 500 m³/h capacity Optimarin Ballast Systems (OBS). The contract, identical to one secured last year, comes at a busy time for the Norwegian ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist, which has seen order enquiries go “through the roof” since securing U.S. Coast Guard type approval approval in December. The fresh agreement will see both systems installed on a 155,000-barrel capacity clean products barge, with delivery scheduled for August 2018.

02 Nov 2016

Optimarin Grows US BWTS Order Book

(Image: Optimarin)

Norwegian ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin said it has secured a two-system contract with Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. The agreement, which Optimarin said comes ahead of its imminent USCG approval, will see two 500 m³/h capacity Optimarin Ballast Systems (OBS) fitted on a single clean products barge. “The ability to trade in U.S. waters is key to global shipowners who want flexibility for their fleets,” comments Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen.

07 Jul 2016

Optimarin BWTS Completes USCG Testing

Optimarin Skid 334-FS 2 (Image: Optimarin)

Ballast water treatment (BWT) system specialist Optimarin said it has completed the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) environmental test and all land-based and shipboard testing for marine, brackish and fresh water. It is understood to be the first supplier of UV-based BWT technology to satisfy the USCG’s CMFDA testing criteria. Optimarin has specialized in environmentally friendly UV treatment technology for the past 22 years, installing the world’s first ever commercial system in 2000 on the cruise ship Princess Regal.

22 Jun 2016

VARD Orders BWT Systems for Topaz Newbuilds

Optimarin Skid 334-FS 2 (Image: Optimarin)

Ballast water treatment (BWT) system Optimarin has picked up an order covering 15 vessels from VARD shipyards. The vessels, VARD 9 21 Design specialist module carriers, will be constructed for ship owner Topaz at two shipyards in Romania - Vard Braila and Vard Tulcea – and one in Vietnam, Vard Vung Tau. “VARD knows our systems well, having installed some 55 units on their newbuildings across the world since 2011,” said Optimarin CEO, Tore Andersen. “They choose us for our expertise and commitment to absolute compliance…

02 May 2016

Saga Shipholding’s Optimarin Experience Drives BWT Orders

Photo courtesy of Saga Shipholding

Ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin has signed a contract with Saga Shipholding for the provision of three of its Optimarin Ballast Systems (OBS). The order marks a new chapter in the working relationship between the two, with Saga originally purchasing an initial 26 systems from Optimarin in 2012. According to Nils Otto Bjorhovde, Saga Shipholding’s Hong Kong-based Technical Manager, it’s the performance of those systems to date that persuaded the firm to return for more: “We spent 2011 evaluating the entire BWT market,” Bjorhovde said.

18 Apr 2016

Optimarin Reports Surge in BWTS Orders

(Image: Optimarin)

With its latest succession of contracts won, ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist Optimarin reports it has now sold more than 400 of its environmentally friendly UV-based systems. Optimarin said 2016 has been a boom year for a company that installed the first ever commercial BWT system back in 2000. Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) orders have been confirmed with Atlantis Tankers (10 units) and Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group (nine), while the firm also made its first foray into fishing, with a contract for the Fisherman’s Finest vessel America’s Finest.