Cleaner seas were the focus in 2009

Although the separator-based system, employing a novel technology which increases the separator efficiency, is considerably more expensive than conventional systems, the company claims it is one of the few on the market that actually works onboard ships. Alfa Laval pointed out that there are several systems available which have been approved, but it claims that the approval process is flawed. Such systems work in the static environment and with the test fluids laid down in MEPC 107(49) for the approval process, but with the sort of contaminants found in real bilges, and onboard a moving vessel, they fail to measure up to the job.

Wärtsilä's Senitec oily water treatment system obtained further type approvals in 2009; the company says that the tests prior to issue of approval by USCG were carried out by the German SGS institute, these tests being particularly stringent, involving, among other things, use with an emulsified concoction of HFO, diesel oil, iron oxides and detergents, and tilting to angles of up to 22.5°. The unit proved capable of removing oil down to 1ppm; the IMO limit is 15ppm.

EnSolve Biosystems' PetroLiminator is another system that claims discharge levels well below IMO limits. The company introduced a cost guarantee scheme in 2009, which it says provides operators with predictable annual costs for their bilge treatment systems. The company also cponcluded a distribution agreement with Gertsen & Olufsen of Denmark.

One of the problems with bilge treatment systems is that they can be, and often are, frequently bypassed by lazy crews who revert to the traditional but highly illegal methods of overboard discharge. So-called 'magic pipes' can involve, to say the least, awkward questions during port state control inspections, not to mention heavy penalties if ships are caught discharging untreated oily water. Two UK companies launched systems designed to prevent the use of magic pipes, leading, so they say, to reduced insurance premiums and time saved in PSC inspections. Rivertrace Engineering's SmartSafe system uses specially developed software to monitor the separator system and flow through the discharge pipe, detecting any attempt to tamper with the system. It can alert the shipowner of any suspect activity, and shut off the discharge pipe if necessary. PSM Instrumentation's ClearView follows broadly similar principles, being a tamper-proof logging device that monitors the status of all elements connected with water discharge, in a similar manner to a VDR, with the status visible both onboard, and, via a transmission system, ashore. It too can disable the discharge valve if required.

Alfa Laval's PureBallast system is now well established in the market; but the ballast water management system (BWMS) developed by the company in conjunction with Wallenius Water scored an important first in 2009, with the first order for systems adapted to the hazardous environment of bitumen tankers. Rather than the normal installation within the ship's machinery spaces, the new version is housed in a pressurised structure on deck.

OceanSaver of Norway has, alongside Alfa Laval and Wallenius, been in the forefront of BWMS development, and achieved type approval for its system in 2009, which it said would allow it to concentrate on commercialisation of the technology. The OceanSaver system has been developed over a long period, and is based on what the company describes as 'hydro-dynamic cavitation technology'. This uses pulsed shock waves to eliminate non-native organisms in water flow, and the system is claimed to be highly effective without needing chemicals and requires surprisingly low energy levels. The cavitation technology uses nitrogen rather than air, so that organisms depending on oxygen fail to survive thanks to depleted oxygen levels.

Korean company Techcross signed a contact to supply explosion-proof BWMS for two new chemical tankers; the company claims that its system is the first BWMS to be developed specifically for hazardous applications.

Hyundai was another Korean company to launch its own BWMS in 2009; the system, using filtration and a UV reactor, is being tested onboard a container vessel newbuilding prior to seeking type approval in 2010.

In Japan, Hitachi and Mitsubishi's jointly-developed BWMS, ClearBallast, gained IMO approval. The system uses similar coagulation technology, based on magnetic spearation, to that used in land-based water purification plants, and avoids the use of chlorine, ozone, UV light or disinfectants.

Hyde Marine achieved type approval for its Hyde Guardian BWMS, following successful long-term trials on two cruise ships. The company says that its system is fully automatic, simple, safe and reliable, and uses no chemicals so there is no risk of cross-contamination and low through-life costs.