The Royal Netherlands Navy is the world’s first that has installed a USCG approved ballast water treatment (BWT) system. Two units, manufactured by Optimarin, have been installed by Goltens Green Technologies onboard the landing platform docking vessel »Johan de Witt«.
The projec[ds_preview]t is part of a ten-vessel agreement between Goltens and the Navy, which will see turnkey installations of the Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) across a selection of advanced, specialist ships. OBS became the first BWT system to achieve full USCG approval in December last year.
Goltens fitted two OBS units on the 28,395 GT, 176 m long vessel, with one 1500m³/h system and one 500m³/h unit. Boasting a combination of automatic back flushing, self-cleaning filters (Boll & Kirch) and powerful 35 kW UV lamps, the systems have the capacity to neutralise all potentially invasive species in ballast water Goltens stated. Alongside USCG compliance the OBS also has full IMO approval and certification from DNV GL, Lloyd’s, Bureau Veritas, MLIT Japan, and American Bureau of Shipping.
USCG approval is an important factor
»Gaining USCG approval was a milestone for this business, and the wider industry,« remarks Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen, »and it’s another significant step to complete the first installation after that development. That it’s with a customer of the standing of the Royal Netherlands Navy makes it even more special.«
According own information Goltens and Optimarin have retrofitted OBS units on around 100 vessels globally. In total, Optimarin has now sold more than 500 of their systems, with over 300 installed and operational worldwide.
