Optimarin to deliver BWT systems for Sinopacific’s nine AHTS vessels

Norwegian ballast water treatment (BWT) provider Optimarin has won a contract to provide its ballast systems for nine anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels being built at China’s Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group.

The contract follows a recent ten unit order from Turkish shipping firm Atlantis Tankers for two newbuilds and eight existing vessels.

It is also the firm’s first foray into the fishing sector.

Designed by Sinopacific’s Shanghai Design Associates specialist OSV team, the new AHTS vessels will be operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) subsidiary ESNAAD.

Featuring a bollard pull of 80t and an advanced electric propulsion system, the vessels are designed for offshore work in the Arabian Gulf.

Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen said: "These vessels are designed to excel in the region’s shallow waters, high temperatures, salinities and humidity.

"This will ensure optimal quality, reliable operations, and Sinopacific wanted a BWT system to match.

"The reliability and ease of maintenance of our technology is now well-established in the market.

"The fact that the systems are modular, and therefore easy to install on vessels where space is at a premium, such as an AHTS, provides another compelling selling point.

"Sinopacific is a leading player in this sector and we’re obviously delighted that they recognise the same qualities in Optimarin."

All nine vessels of the SPA80A design are scheduled to be delivered to ESNAAD before the end of next year.

Optimarin noted that it has already installed more than 270 systems, out of a total of over 370 confirmed orders, in light of the upcoming USCG approval of its BWT system, expected in autumn this year.