Damen unveils BWPF
(Posted on 13/02/20)
Damen Shipyards Group has unveiled a Ballast Water Pre Filtration Barge (BWPF) to assist vessels in complying with the IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention. The new legislation came into force on September 8th this year and Damen Green Solutions has prepared a range of products and services to assist its clients in meeting the requirements of the new legislation.
Many ports located on rivers throughout the world experience a sediment level significantly higher than the level onboard ballast water treatment systems are tested to. Damen Green Solutions product portfolio manager Matthijs Schuiten explains, “The level to which onboard systems are tested demonstrates an ability to handle sediment levels up to 50 mg per litre. However, at some terminals, this level is exceeded – sometimes considerably. We recently ran tests on a waterway in the US close to a harbour, for example, and found sediment levels 30 times above this.”
Notable cases of important waterways that exceed the level to which onboard systems are tested include the Huangpu Jiang in Shanghai, the River Thames in London and the Red and Mississippi rivers in the US.
“Such high levels of sediment can cause ballast water filter blockage,” Matthijs continues. “This can make for huge operational challenges, preventing cargo unloading or ballast water intake.”
Damen’s answer is the new BWPF Barge, designed to go alongside a vessel at terminal and filter the sediment before ballast water is taken aboard.
“Pre-filtering the water in this manner ensures the ballast water system onboard is not blocked due to sediment. Having such capabilities enables terminals to add value with an additional service for calling vessels. With the IMO legislation’s passage into law, we expect to see demand for such services in the near future. Developing the BWPF Barge is Damen’s way of making sure that, when the need arises, we are prepared to respond quickly.”
The BWPF Barge can process up to 4,000 m3 water per hour with a sediment level anything between 50 and 1,500 mg per litre. Filtration is available between 10 and 50 micron, to suit varying sediment sizes. The entire ballast water filtration system fits neatly inside a standard 40’ container, making logistics straightforward.
Damen Shipyards Group operates 36 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 12,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,500 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers around 175 vessels annually to customers worldwide.
Latest News
Posidonia 2026 takes centre stage amid global freedom of navigation challenges
(Posted on 29/05/26)From insurance and risk management to energy transition, digitalisation and maritime security, the Posidonia... Read more
First maritime compliance & prevention-focused organisation, PaS, joins DBCE
(Posted on 29/05/26)Prevention at Sea (PaS), a leading maritime compliance, auditing, and digital solutions provider, has... Read more
NorthStandard reports strong results and strategic momentum
(Posted on 29/05/26)NorthStandard has reported strong financial results, continued strategic progress and enhanced support... Read more
Latest guidance for vessel transit through Strait of Hormuz
(Posted on 25/05/26)Hundreds of vessels remain unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz and, in the event of a return to more... Read more
The Bahamas regains QUALSHIP 21 eligibility
(Posted on 25/05/26)The Bahamas has regained eligibility for the United States Coast Guard’s QUALSHIP 21 programme... Read more
First dedicated STS standard for dry bulk released by INTERCARGO
(Posted on 22/05/26)Ship to ship (STS) transfers are an established part of dry bulk operations, and they are growing. As... Read more
Columbia reinforces commitment to maritime talent
(Posted on 22/05/26)Columbia Group has strengthened its commitment to developing the next generation of maritime professionals... Read more
Jamaica marks 50 years at IMO with call for island states to shape future
(Posted on 22/05/26)The Maritime Authority of Jamaica has marked Jamaica’s 50th anniversary as a member of the International... Read more
Costamare Bulkers logs first profit after Cargill deal removes most legacy trading
(Posted on 14/05/26)Costamare Bulkers Holdings Limited has reported unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended... Read more
NORDEN strengthens fleet with the addition of four Handysize vessels
(Posted on 13/05/26)NORDEN have announced that they have expanded their fleet with the purchase of four dry cargo Handysize... Read more
