Discover the UV-based ballast water treatment system from our selected partner.
A ballast water treatment system (BWTS), also known as a Ballast Water Management System (BWMS), removes, neutralizes, or kills harmful aquatic organisms such as zooplankton, algae, and bacteria from ballast water to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Traditional methods such as electrochlorination (EC) use chemicals, which can produce toxic byproducts.
A UV-based ballast water treatment system offers a more environmentally friendly alternative by using UV light without chemicals, making it safer for marine ecosystems.
A UV-based system offers significant advantages over chemical methods such as electrochlorination, especially in ballast water treatment in fresh, brackish, and saltwater. First and foremost, UV technology enhances onboard safety by completely eliminating the risks of toxic chlorine production and explosive hydrogen gas, thereby significantly increasing the safety of the crew.
Furthermore, UV treatment is environmentally friendly, as no disinfection by-products (DBPs) are generated and there is no need to manage Total Residual Oxidants (TRO). This not only contributes to the protection of the marine ecosystem but also reduces operational costs.
Finally, the use of UV systems results in direct cost savings for ship owners, as no chemical handling or storage is required. This makes management simpler and more efficient.
A UV-based ballast water treatment system operates in three key steps.
In the first step, pre-filtration, the incoming ballast water is filtered to remove larger particles and organisms, such as sediments, algae, and plankton. This process increases the effectiveness of the subsequent UV treatment by minimizing interference.
Next, during the UV treatment phase, the filtered water is exposed to intense ultraviolet light. This UV light damages the DNA of microorganisms, rendering them inactive and unable to reproduce.
In the final step, discharge, the treated water is safely returned to the marine environment, free from harmful organisms or chemicals. This integrated process ensures that the ballast water meets international and national environmental standards and can be safely discharged without negatively impacting the ecosystem.
UV purification systems are designed with flexibility in mind. For ships with a standard ballast water flow, one filter and one UV reactor are often sufficient. For ships with a larger ballast capacity, additional filters and UV reactors can be added to meet operational requirements. This makes the systems suitable for various ship types.
The effectiveness of a UV-based BWTS is highly dependent on the regular maintenance of essential components such as filters, UV reactors, and UV lamps.
Depending on the specific system, there are various cleaning options available. Some systems are equipped with advanced automatic cleaning mechanisms, including self-cleaning filters and UV lamps. These technologies prevent fouling and ensure that the system continues to function optimally without the need for manual intervention.
In other cases, manual cleaning may be necessary, which is a more thorough but time-consuming method to keep the components clean.
BWTS systems have been developed in response to international regulations from both the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Both organizations have set strict standards to prevent the introduction of invasive species through ballast water.
IMO Ballast Water Management Convention: this convention, adopted in 2004 and in force since September 8, 2017, requires ships worldwide to manage and treat their ballast water before discharging it. The IMO sets strict requirements for the number of living organisms that may remain in ballast water after treatment.
USCG standards: the United States Coast Guard has had its own ballast water standards in place since 2012, which are often stricter than those of the IMO. Ships entering U.S. waters must comply with these standards. This has led to the development of advanced BWTS that meet both IMO and USCG requirements.
The UV-based ballast water treatment system (BWTS) we offer in collaboration with our partner is certified and type-approved according to both IMO and USCG standards.
A ballast water treatment system (BWTS), also known as a Ballast Water Management System (BWMS), removes, neutralizes, or kills harmful aquatic organisms such as zooplankton, algae, and bacteria from ballast water to prevent the spread of invasive species. Traditional methods such as electrochlorination (EC) use chemicals, which can produce toxic byproducts. A UV-based ballast water treatment system offers a more environmentally friendly alternative by using UV light without chemicals, making it safer for marine ecosystems. Discover more about the ultraviolet (UV)-based treatment system from our selected partner.
A UV-based system offers significant advantages over chemical methods such as electrochlorination, especially in ballast water treatment in fresh, brackish, and saltwater. First and foremost, UV technology enhances onboard safety by completely eliminating the risks of toxic chlorine production and explosive hydrogen gas, thereby significantly increasing the safety of the crew.
Furthermore, UV treatment is environmentally friendly, as no disinfection by-products (DBPs) are generated and there is no need to manage Total Residual Oxidants (TRO). This not only contributes to the protection of the marine ecosystem but also reduces operational costs.
Finally, the use of UV systems results in direct cost savings for ship owners, as no chemical handling or storage is required. This makes management simpler and more efficient.
A UV-based ballast water treatment system operates in three key steps.
In the first step, pre-filtration, the incoming ballast water is filtered to remove larger particles and organisms, such as sediments, algae, and plankton. This process increases the effectiveness of the subsequent UV treatment by minimizing interference.
Next, during the UV treatment phase, the filtered water is exposed to intense ultraviolet light. This UV light damages the DNA of microorganisms, rendering them inactive and unable to reproduce.
In the final step, discharge, the treated water is safely returned to the marine environment, free from harmful organisms or chemicals. This integrated process ensures that the ballast water meets international and national environmental standards and can be safely discharged without negatively impacting the ecosystem.
UV purification systems are designed with flexibility in mind. For ships with a standard ballast water flow, one filter and one UV reactor are often sufficient. For ships with a larger ballast capacity, additional filters and UV reactors can be added to meet operational requirements. This makes the systems suitable for various ship types.
The effectiveness of a UV-based BWTS is highly dependent on the regular maintenance of essential components such as filters, UV reactors, and UV lamps.
Depending on the specific system, there are various cleaning options available. Some systems are equipped with advanced automatic cleaning mechanisms, including self-cleaning filters and UV lamps. These technologies prevent fouling and ensure that the system continues to function optimally without the need for manual intervention.
In other cases, manual cleaning may be necessary, which is a more thorough but time-consuming method to keep the components clean.
BWTS systems have been developed in response to international regulations from both the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Both organizations have set strict standards to prevent the introduction of invasive species through ballast water.
IMO Ballast Water Management Convention: this convention, adopted in 2004 and in force since September 8, 2017, requires ships worldwide to manage and treat their ballast water before discharging it. The IMO sets strict requirements for the number of living organisms that may remain in ballast water after treatment.
USCG standards: the United States Coast Guard has had its own ballast water standards in place since 2012, which are often stricter than those of the IMO. Ships entering U.S. waters must comply with these standards. This has led to the development of advanced BWTS that meet both IMO and USCG requirements.
The UV-based ballast water treatment system (BWTS) we offer in collaboration with our partner is certified and type-approved according to both IMO and USCG standards.
More information about ballast water management can be found on the official Ballast Water Management page of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Information on type approval for ballast water management according to USCG standards is available on the official United States Coast Guard Ballast Water Management Type Approval page.
Ballast water is the water a ship takes in or discharges into ballast tanks to regulate trim, stability, and structural stress. This water, including suspended particles, helps stabilize the ship while sailing. Water used in other ship systems, such as sanitation, is not included in this definition.
UV-based BWTS are ideal for ships with low to medium ballast capacity, such as container ships, cruise ships, ferries, and navy ships. This technology is less suitable for large tankers or ships operating in turbid water due to flow limitations.
The convention does not apply to ships without ballast tanks, ships that take in and discharge ballast water at the same location, or ships that do not engage in international voyages.
There are various alternative methods available for ballast water treatment:
Contact Details Berger Maritiem:
Street and Postal Code:
Steur 50, 3344 JJ
City:
Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht
Country:
Netherlands
Phone Number:
+31 78 6 414 525
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