Ballast Water Treatment and Management
The presence of micro-organisms in maritime ballast water tanks can result in the spread of invasive species and pathogens all over the world. With the increase of international trade, cases of damage to ecosystems are also on the rise. As such, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) responded and introduced a ballast water treatment resolution that was ratified in October 2020.
By using a combination of mechanical filtering and specially-developed UV long-arc mercury lamps ballast water can be successfully cleaned and managed. The high efficiency of Ushio’s UV lamps combines with a long operational lifetime to reduce costs for the treatment system manager.
IMO introduce G8 Ballast Water Treatment System approval regulations
The Guidelines for the approval of ballast water treatment systems (G8) were originally defined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2005. At that stage, environmentally hazardous chemicals or energy-consuming pump displacement methods dominated ballast water treatment.
Ushio set about developing a solution which was both chemical-free and energy-efficient, with a target of producing lamps to surpass the new G8 requirements ahead of schedule by eliminating those problems entirely.
The legislation, which sought to standardise testing procedures, was later found to be too vague and “open to interpretation”. A fundamental revision took place in 2016, with the goal of harmonising the way treatment processes are defined and regulated.
Since 28 October 2020, shipping vessels equipped with inadequate ballast water treatment systems installed on, or after, that date have been blocked from entering 95% of the world’s ports.
At the centre of the new legislation, the IMO declared that ballast water treatment systems must be able to significantly reduce the presence of “viable organisms” by inactivating their “ability to successfully generate new individuals in order to reproduce the species”.
Ushio unveil the solutions to haul shippers into BWT compliance
With the completion of the revised IMO deadline, the marine industry had to get its house in order. Having placed an enhanced focus on research & development strategy ahead of time, Ushio’s proven UV disinfection technology is ready to be installed at the centre of your ballast water treatment device.
Furthermore, our reputation for top level communication skills and reliable delivery has already guaranteed our position as a solution development powerhouse for shipping magnates around the world.
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