Americas News
Alfa Laval's PureBallast Edges Closer to Completion of USCG Testing
Alfa Laval Wednesday announced that it has now performed half of the land-based tests required to submit its application for U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) type approval for its PureBallast 3.1.
The company says that the tests, which have been carried out at DHI in Denmark, have all demonstrated strong biological disinfection.
As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, the U.S., which is not a party to the IMO's Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, requires that all vessels discharging ballast water in U.S. waters use a USCG approved treatment system, although no systems have yet been approved.
"Alfa Laval has a robust biological disinfection technology and has mobilised quickly following the USCG's rejection of most probable number method," says Stephen Westerling Greer, Alfa Laval's Global Business Manager for PureBallast.
"Alfa Laval's vast experience in marine engineering, combined with specific knowledge in the design of ballast water treatment systems, is allowing us to secure a fast and positive testing outcome."
The company notes that the remainder of the testing should be finished in Q2 of 2016.
In October, Charles R. Weber Company, Inc. (CR Weaver) said that already buoyant tanker rates could get a further boost as tonnage is taken out of service for special surveys or dry docking ahead of the implementation of the IMO's BWM Convention.
