Wärtsilä ballast water system gets first-stage approval
The AQUARIUS EC ballast water management system from Wärtsilä Corporation (Wärtsilä) has passed the first stage in the International Maritime Organsation's (IMO) approval process, the company announced, Ship & Bunker reports.
The treatment process includes a back washing filter and a static mixer that injects a disinfectant into the water, and the treated water is monitored, and, if necessary, neutralized with sodium bisulfitate, before being discharged.
"Credit is extended to the whole Wärtsilä ballast team and our strategic partners, all of whom have approached this in a very diligent and professional manner."
The BASIC Approval by the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee is the first step toward full IMO Type Approval, and must be followed by FINAL Approval, which requires full scale prototype test data and documentation on various risks.
The AQUARIUS system became part of the Wärtsilä portfolio following the company's acquisition of Hamworthy plc in January.
Wärtsilä has said the acquisition of the equipment and services company would help it grow in the offshore, marine gas applications and environmental solutions markets.
