Ballast Water Management

The Optimarin BWM system is meeting market expectations on both price and quality

Competitive pricing from Optimarin

Structured and proactive product development has enabled Optimarin to offer more competitive pricing for its market-leading BWM system - without compromising on quality. The market is heating up for such systems due to the rush to retrofit thousands of vessels triggered by the looming IMO deadline in 2024. This has also created a wave of suppliers looking to cash in on high demand with aggressive pricing for their systems as shipowners seek the most affordable route to compliance.

“But lowest price does not necessarily mean economic,” says Optimarin’s executive vice president for sales & marketing Tore Andersen. “Purchase price is important, and we are happy to say that we are now able to compete with any other BWM system provider. But at the same time, initial price should not be the overriding deciding factor.

“When selecting a BWM system, there are a number of other important criteria which in our view should be considered in the overall cost equation. These include quality and reliability that determine future maintenance requirements and contribute significantly to lifecycle cost, as well as upgradability to ensure equipment is future-proof.” To this end, the Norwegian BWM specialist has focused on continuous improvement of its BWM system by constantly refining the system in line with technological development to stay ahead of the market. This rigorous approach has resulted in cost reductions through measures such as simplification and reduced size of components, which has also made its flexible modular system more streamlined and adaptable for different vessel layouts - including for larger ships with tighter space constraints.

And this has in turn translated into pricing benefits for the client that are vital to winning BWM system orders in a highly competitive market, according to Andersen. As well as advantageous pricing, the Optimarin system offers proven robustness and reliability based on a track record of more than 1,000 installations on all types of vessels, backed by a strong aftersales support network.

The so-called Optimarin Ballast System has been further enhanced with OptiLink, an innovative cloud-based digital solution that

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enables real-time performance monitoring of the system, remote 24/7 maintenance and online software updates in support of operational uptime and compliance.

Trust in TECHROSS

Putting top priority on trust with the customer, South Korea’s TECHCROSS has enhanced customer convenience dramatically once again by expanding the base of services related to BWM systems which can be performed only by the Global No. 1 company.

So far, BWM system manufacturers normally take charge of selling and installation. In contrast, TECHCROSS has expanded its line-up to include TLGS (Tank Level Gauging System) and VRCS (Valve Remote Control System) in addition to the BWM system and developed TECHCROSS IBTV (Integrated BWMS/TLGS/VRCS), a control platform which can integrate all the equipment for optimal operation. TECHCROSS IBTV makes it possible with a single button to solve problems of inconvenience such as cumbersome operation and management of each piece of equipment, possibility of wrong operation, and increase in the number of objects which need maintenance. This allows TECHCROSS to solve all the issues related to BWM systems at once within the vessel using the new service, and as a result it is possible to improve efficiency and reduce expenses as one company takes charge of not only maintenance and management but also purchasing and installation of equipment.

While TECHCROSS IBTV provides convenience for customers with expanded lineup in hardware aspect, TECHCROSS Smart Platform provides customers with upgraded services in software aspect. TECHCROSS Smart Platform helps prevent the cause of problem in advance by storing and analysing all the data of TECHCROSS BWM system in real time. The service can be used anytime using the Wi-Fi of the vessel or the LAN cable without additional charge or equipment, and it is possible to check the state of the vessel and equipment anytime anywhere where communication is available. Customers can save time and expenses for maintenance and the expected life of equipment increases as TECHCROSS can solve a potential problem even before the problem is detected. TECHCROSS, too, can improve equipment performance by acquiring various kinds of data about the equipment in the vessel to contribute to improvement of customer satisfaction in a virtuous cycle.

Making efforts to provide better services as the No. 1 company in the industry through various references, TECHCROSS has expanded all the service areas including TECHCROSS IBTV and Smart Platform in order to strengthen the core of the BWM system. In doing so, it is expected that TECHCROSS can satisfy customers and at the same time develop better equipment. Now TECHCROSS is defining the area of BWM system business newly.

The TECHCROSS Integrated BWMS/TLGS/VRCS Two of the ships in the Kooiman shipyard

Kooiman to equip 29 vessels

Holland’s Kooiman Marine Group will equip 29 vessels with a BWM system, taking care of the entire process from the 3D scan on-board up to and including the installation.

Kooiman recently designed, installed and successfully delivered two BWM systems for Amasus - the Eems Transporter and Fluvius Otter were the first of the 29 ships that are scheduled to come. This project is an important step to reduce the environmental impact of the Amasus fleet.

To be able to integrate with the existing ballast water system in a tight engine room, a 3D model of the existing space was made using laser-scanning. Kooiman Engineering designed the new pipes with 3D engineering in this model and made the pipe spools. In the pipefitting department of Kooiman Marine Group, the pipes are manufactured for installation onboard. When the ship arrived at the shipyard, all piping was ready and coated, allowing the installation work on-board to be started immediately.

The foundations also are made in advance and this package, together with the equipment, is collected in a container at the logistics centre of Kooiman Marine Group. By packing the full package in a containerised size, transport within our own yards, but also to other locations, is easy to carry out. Each ship receives its own tailor-made BWM installation package.

For Amasus Kooniman provided their 29 ships with a new, tailor-made BWM system onboard, in a period of three years. A special and challenging project because all these ships are in operation and therefore not always in the vicinity of a shipyard of Kooiman Marine Group. However, this integrated approach limits the time to a minimum that the ships are out of service. SORJ