Optimarin completes IMO G8 ballast water system tests

Norwegian ballast water treatment system manufacturer Optimarin has successfully completed testing of its UV-based equipment in accordance with revised IMO G8 guidelines. At the same time, its US Coast Guard approval certificates have been modified to demonstrate compliance with holding times of between zero and two hours. The tests were carried out with two filters simultaneously to cover all operational parameters, the company said, and have been completed ahead of IMO’s G8 deadline in October.

Leiv Kallestad, Optimarin CEO, commented: “In a shifting regulatory landscape we wanted to send out a clear message that we are ahead of the curve, satisfying all requirements so owners and operators have a global ‘ticket to trade’, and one less thing to worry about. Optimarin is a long-term partner for its customers, so we see it as vital that we safeguard their operations as much in the future as we do today.”

The Stavanger-based company has notched up a string of firsts over the last 20 years. It was the first system manufacturer to install a commercial ship system in 2000. It subsequently became the first company to achieve full US Coast Guard approval and then to offer a five-year service and parts guarantee on fleet agreements.

The company has now sold about 1000 systems, of which 650 are installed and operating. About 40% of the total are retrofits. Customers include the Danish Navy, Fednav, Gulfmark, Hapag-Lloyd, McDermott, MOL and Technip.