ECS-A, the first ballast water management system model of Techcross and indeed the global BWMS industry, has been awarded United States Coastguard (USCG) type approval.

USCG type approval for Techcross’s BWMS includes its obsolescent ECS-A Photo: Techcross

USCG type approval for Techcross’s BWMS includes its obsolescent ECS-A Photo: Techcross

Although ECS-A is no longer in production having being replaced by ECS-B with its increased processing capacity, the approval means that clients who have the earlier system installed are also covered.

ECS-A received International Maritime Organisation approval in 2006 before being replaced by ECS-B in 2012. Both ECS and ECS-A obtained USCG alternate management system approval in 2013, which allowed free entry into the US until 2018.

Performing a certification test of a discontinued product not only requires the need to produce new test equipment, but also conduct a comparative verification test to investigate whether it is the same as the product at the time, a costly and timely process. Techcross chose to push ahead with gaining this approval, mindful of the industry’s tendency to induce customers to upgrade even when not necessary.