TOC Europe 2023Port of South LouisianaVan AalstCimbriaPort of StocktonTBA Group
  • Cimbria
  • Vigan
  • IMPA Events
  • TOC Africa 2023
  • TBA Group
  • Port of Stockton

UV doses must be consistent

(Posted on 11/12/18)

Ballast water treatment manufacturer BIO-UV Group has noted the U.S. Administration’s approval of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) and the possible acceptance of the Most Probable Number (MPN) methodology, the method currently used by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to test BWMS treatment efficiency.

However, while the US Coast Guard now has to draft policy detailing reproductive methods, BIO-UV Group’s President and CEO Benoît Gillmann says it is important to remember that the process of acceptance of a viability method is not immediate, and that there is no guaranty that methodologies coming out of this process will be the same as the MPN as currently used.

“For the moment, the method in force today in the US is the CMFDA process. But whatever the possible modification and/or relaxation of the US rules, the UV dose must remain significant to treat all water types and a system like BIO-SEA is and will continue to be a safe choice for shipowners while staying very competitive,” said Gillmann.

Essentially, VIDA sets a clear, unambiguous definition of what constitutes a “live” and “living” ballast water organism. It defines as living any organisms capable of reproduction. If they cannot, then they are classed as “dead”.

The US Environmental Protection Agency will have to put the standard in writing and incorporate the USCG’s final version. But irrespective of the legislation, shipowners will need to very carefully evaluate system performance and limitations against their vessels’ operational scope.

Xavier Deval, BIO-UV Group’s Business Director, BIO-SEA, said: “In terms of performance, reliability, energy consumption and ballast water holding time, the gulf between pre- and post-VIDA BWMS could be very huge indeed. BIO-SEA as an early IMO/USCG approved system has proved its capacity to treat a range of organisms, in a greater spectrum of waters with varying turbidity, and to a much higher standard.”

Deval furthered: “The performance measured by the IMO & USCG is a key aspect, since a vessel navigating today only in IMO-regulated waters may be required to operate in USCG-controlled waters tomorrow. Choosing an efficient system, in terms of water treatment of different qualities, with short retention times, easy to use and maintain, and fully automatic is crucial.

“Shipowners should install a BWMS as soon as possible to prevent operations from being limited to specific trading zones and from being incompliant with the regulations, as evidenced by the penalties imposed on ships, which are starting to see the light of day.

“A system that is certified to operate with zero holding time, like BIO-SEA for instance, will have greater traction with owners. This is very important since systems that are not certified with zero hours holding will inevitably cause delays to vessel operations.”

BIO-UV’s BIO-SEA system requires zero holding time when treating fresh water and 24 hours in marine water and is currently undergoing tests for zero holding time in brackish waters.

Latest News

INTERCARGO stresses commitment to MARPOL on World Maritime Day

(Posted on 27/09/23)

As the global shipping industry today celebrates World Maritime Day with its central theme of &ldquo... Read more


GTMaritime reaches 15,000-vessel milestone

(Posted on 26/09/23)

Leading provider of secure maritime data communications software, GTMaritime, has reached 15,000 installations... Read more


Posidonia Masterclass in Shipping now live

(Posted on 26/09/23)

Posidonia Exhibitions, organisers of Posidonia, the International Shipping Exhibition, is launching... Read more


NorthStandard identifies future path of P&I as it realizes early consolidation gains

(Posted on 19/09/23)

Seven months after its formal launch, NorthStandard is already realizing tangible benefits from combining... Read more


Core Power adds US heavyweights to Global Advisory Board

(Posted on 12/09/23)

Maritime nuclear technology company CORE POWER has boosted its Global Advisory Board with four new high... Read more


Foreship makes further commitment to growth in the UK

(Posted on 12/09/23)

Foreship has relocated its UK subsidiary to larger premises and appointed Tuur Killaars as Senior Sustainability... Read more


DNV and PCL to expand collaboration in ESG and key operational areas

(Posted on 08/09/23)

Classification society DNV has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based ship... Read more


ISG partnership with MLS to enhance training for maritime sector

(Posted on 08/09/23)

Leading blended learning provider Intelligent Seas Group (ISG) is delighted to announce its collaboration... Read more


Panama Canal water levels to remain exceptionally low for months

(Posted on 04/09/23)

Record year-on-year declines in rainfall has been identified as the ‘likely culprit’ for... Read more


Change in MENAS Light Dues to ensure future of Aids to Navigation

(Posted on 04/09/23)

After years of keeping a vital navigation service operating on the same income, Middle East Navigation... Read more


TMS Awards 2023TOC Africa 2023TelestackSailors SocietyIMPA EventsCoaltrans Asia 2023
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Telestack
  • Coaltrans Asia 2023
  • Sailors Society

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping