What specific demand do you see from the industry?
Marcus Hummer: Today, customers are continuously asking for BWM systems that they can understand and operate. Filters, TRO-sensors, chemicals, fragile lamps etc. are something they all would like to avoid as they constantly are creating operational malf[ds_preview]unctions and high need for service and spare parts. Customers are looking for simplicity, reliability and ease of operation.
Do you have plans to expand your portfolio?
Hummer: Our BWMS is a very robust solution based on standard marine components – all known to the vessel crews. Based on heat treatment of the ballast water, the system is then operated without a filter and is completely independent of the water quality it is operated in. That means you have a very reliable system. Single pass is the second advantage, meaning that water is D2 compliant immediately after leaving the system, allowing for operational freedom to either treat during ballasting or de-ballasting. On ships the heat is usually coming from the waste from the HT cooling system, allowing our system to be operated at nearly zero OPEX. We can also claim, and still look at ourselves in the mirror, that our system is the only true green system on the market. It is sized to the ballast water need of the vessels, and not to the size of the pumps, thus reducing the size compared to competition – smaller system, no chemicals and no OPEX. Our technology is also available in a mobile port based version – relevant for owners with little ballast water treatment need or if they run a fixed »milk run« schedule. Currently, we are in contact with major North European ports to install mobile solutions for treatment in the ports themselves. The solution is also flexible and stand-alone in its set-up, such that vessels owners can take it with them on voyages if no fixed BWMS is installed. This is typically an advantage for ships with little treatment need – PSV’s, OSV’s etc.
What is your expectation for 2021 (and beyond)?
Hummer: We have a very positive outlook for the future as we see vessel owners being more and more focused on the operational aspects of a BWMS in their decision making process – both when it comes to ship installations but just as much when a decision to use a port based or mobile system comes in play.
