Ballast water management systems in demand

SMART technology group Wärtsilä says a surge of ballast water management contracts is indicative of demand for compliance with a key IMO convention. To ensure compliance with the IMO's Ballast Water Management Convention, owners must install a ballast water management system by the next vessel survey occurring after 8 September 2019. According to Wärtsilä, the business has received several contracts to supply its Aquarius UV Ballast Water Management System to global shipping operators. The contracts cover 13 systems, the orders for which were booked during the 2018 fourth quarter. Installation is occurring at Chinese shipyards, the orders covering installations in a ro-ro ferry, two ro-pax vessels, six tankers and four box ships. According to Wärtsilä, ship owners are increasingly requesting quotations for their existing sailing fleet, as well as new build vessel installations. “This continued strong demand is a very positive verification of the efficiency, reliability, and robustness of the Wärtsilä Aquarius systems,” said Wärtsilä Marine director water and waste Arto Lehtinen. The Ballast Water Management Convention aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to another.