The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology

IMO and US Coast Guard approval for Bulker Solution

(Posted on 29/01/21)

DESMI Ocean Guard A/S is pleased to announce that a new configuration of its well-known CompactClean BWMS has been approved by both the US Coast Guard and the Danish Maritime Authority. This configuration is named CompactClean Bulker and must be seen as an additional product line to the existing CompactClean product lines. It is designed for higher flowrates during de- ballast solving one of the main operational issues faced by Bulk Carriers complying with ballast water regulations.

Some vessel types, in particular Bulk Carriers, often experience a need to be able to discharge ballast water faster than the time they spend on ballast water uptake. This is related to the speed of cargo loading, which is for some cargo types and ports much faster than the speed with which they can unload cargo. The ballast water uptake and discharge speeds need to match this in order not to become obstacles to the operation of the vessel.

So far typical ballast water management systems have been approved with just one max flowrate, which is the same during ballast and de-ballast operations, but now DESMI Ocean Guard introduces a tailor-made solution. In all its simplicity, the type approved solution enables the CompactClean system to be configured with any combination of its approved filters and UV units, and as the filter is by-passed during de-ballast the need for higher de-ballast flowrate can be accommodated by selecting a larger UV unit than filter.

“A recent example of DESMI Ocean Guard being able to provide a solution to a customer that solves this issue is for a series of Bulk Carriers. These vessels operate today with cargo loading being twice as fast as cargo offloading. By selecting a CompactClean BWMS with a filter with max flowrate of 750 m3/h and a UV unit with max flowrate of 1500 m3/h, the vessels have been able to continue their current operation, conducting ballast water uptake at 750 m3/h and ballast water discharge at 1500 m3/h”, explains Rasmus Folsø, CEO of DESMI Ocean Guard. He continues: “It may sound simple, but such solutions can make a world of difference for the customer, and therefore, we are ready to go the extra mile to ensure that this is fully approved. And with the issuance of an updated USCG Type Approval on January 5th 2021, this CompactClean solution is now approved globally”.

By this added offering, DESMI Ocean Guard strengthens its market leading position, which during 2020 was further cemented with the highest order intake recorded in a year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic which did postpone a large number of BWMS retrofit projects. The first weeks of 2021 have started well with several significant orders and frame agreements, and DESMI Ocean Guard remains confident that 2021 will present another year with increasing market shares and new records in order intake and turnover.