Maersk Tankers selects Wärtsilä ballast water management systems for newbuild vessels

Denmark’s Maersk Tankers has selected Wärtsilä’s electro chlorination (EC) ballast water management system (BWMS) for three new medium range (MR) tankers.

Under the deal, Wärtsilä will provide one 1,500m³/h EC BWMS solution to each of the three vessels.

Currently being built at the Samsung Heavy Industries (Ningbo) yard in China, the three tankers will have a 50,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) capacity.

Known as Wärtsilä Aquarius EC BWMS, the ballast water management system will help Maersk Tankers to fulfill future International Maritime Organisation (IMO) requirements.

Compliant in all types of salinity, the system will be delivered to the yard from December this year.

Wärtsilä Marine Solutions ballast water management systems director Dr Joe Thomas said: “Ratification of the IMO’s ballast water treaty is very close and the major ship owners are making preparations for compliance.

“Wärtsilä has extensive experience and deep know-how in BWMS technology, and can offer reliability and long-term support to ensure that customers have the optimal solution for their specific needs.”

Maersk Tankers’ newbuilds are expecting to receive United States Coast Guard (USCG) type approval by the first quarter of next year.

Ships’ ballast water is taken out and discharged as required to ensure safe operation. Ships accumulate ballast water in one part of the world and discharge it in another.

A host of microscopic marine organisms and plants are also being carried along with the ballast water, and might not be able cope up with new environment where they are being discharged.

In order to address the issue, the IMO in 2004 had launched the ballast water management convention.

In 2013, the USCG also introduced VGP 2013 legislation, which is associated with ships sailing in US waters.

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Image: Maersk Tankers to use Wärtsilä’s electro chlorination ballast water management system for three newbuilds. Photo: courtesy of Wärtsilä.