Singapore's Pioneer Marine Awards "Biggest Ever BWMS Order" to Wärtsilä

Dr. Joe Thomas of Wärtsilä said this order is "indicative of the growing need for ballast water discharging to be properly managed."

Wärtsilä has anounced that 22 bulk carriers currently being built by Yangzhou Guoyu Shipbuilding Co. Ltd in China for Singapore based Pioneer Marine will feature Wärtsilä Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS), making the vessels fully compatible with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ballast water convention.

Wärtsilä said the order represents the biggest ever single owner order to date for any BWMS manufacturer.

"This is an important order and is indicative of the growing need for ballast water discharging to be properly managed. These vessels will operate in and around US waters, and it was imperative that the selected BWMS have the appropriate approvals," said Dr. Joe Thomas, Director of Wärtsilä Ballast Water Management Systems.

Each of the 38,000 DWT vessels will be fitted with two AQUARIUS UV BWMS, which Wärtsilä says are one of only four systems tested and approved for fresh water operation under the United States Coast Guard’s AMS (Alternative Management System) criteria.

While the IMO's BWM Convention has yet to be ratified, the US Coast Guard (USCG) has already implemented regulations that states all ships will have to be in compliance with the regulations when sailing in US coastal waters.

"Even though it is a new product promoted by Wärtsilä, considering our long and good relationship with them, we know the company to be a reliable and trustful supplier, and that they will give strong support to the yard," said Annie Dai, Marketing Manager of Guoyu Shipyard.

"We are sure Wärtsilä and Guoyu Group will have a good and smooth co-operation for this new product and extend the co-operation to a comprehensive platform."

In February, Ship & Bunker provided the first of a two-part feature highlighting how BWM systems work, co-authored by BIMCO and Fathom.