Mr Anders Lindmark, Head of PureBallast, BU Marine Separation and Heat Transfer Equipment, Alfa Laval emphasizes on the importance of planning well before installation of a BWTS considering vessel’s needs. What is more, training of this new equipment is a critical part for the operators who should not take for granted that the crew will be able to operate these systems when installed. Surely, the execution of such projects takes time and therefore in order to avoid any bottleneck in yard from 2020 forward, Mr. Lindmark advises operators to plan before and focus on sufficient skilled engineering expertise.
SAFETY4SEA: Tell us a few words about your BWTS. In terms of Type, Flag & USCG approvals where does your product range stand?
Anders Lindmark: PureBallast 3.0 has USCG Type Approval since December 2016 and we were the first company to achieve the revised G8 requirements, which is needed for all systems that need to be installed from the 28 October 2020.
S4S: What are the key factors to consider when retrofitting a ship with a BWTS?
A.L.: It all starts when you make the selection of the treatment. First of all you need to look into your specific vessels; how they are trading, what are the requirements, should you go for a UV system, electrochlorination system or another technology. Then you need to understand what type of supplier you want to work with and search answers to the following important question: Besides the equipment they are providing, are they providing the services that you will need for the lifecycle of the equipment? When you have selected supplier, it is key to give enough time to the project when you are going make the installation. If you have prepared well enough, then you will have a successful execution of the specific project. Take enough time, select the right maker and choose the technology that is suitable for your specific vessels.
S4S: What is your feedback with respect to BWMC implementation so far?
A.L.: After MEPC71 in July 2017, what we have seen is that the market has been settled; we now have clarity in the implementation schedule thus we are preparing accordingly. So, it was really good to get that clarification because now the ship-owners can plan according to the dry dock schedules and we can plan together with them.
S4S: Do you see bottleneck for yards / owners in the range of 2020 forward?
A.L.: One of the key things is take enough time to do the planning. Then you would be much more successful in your retrofit installation. When it comes to the bottleneck one of the key challenges would be to get enough and sufficient skilled engineering expertise. That is also one of the main reasons why ship-owners should start early to plan for how they are going to equip their fleet with the needed equipment, which partners should work with both for supplying systems providing engineering and where to make installations. If they do this with enough time I am sure they will be successful executing the retrofits as well.
S4S: Regarding the training needed on board for the BWTS, what do shipowners need to think about the crew and their understanding of these systems and their installation?
A.L.: I think we should have respect that this is new equipment that has not been on board vessels before. So it is not only about installing them and then believing that the vessel crew will be able to operate then without any training. I really believe that training is a critical part for the ship-owners to be able to be compliant with the equipment that is installed on board the vessels.
View herebelow the video interview with Anders Lindmark, Head of PureBallast, BU Marine Separation and Heat Transfer Equipment, Alfa Laval at SMM 2018, September 4-7, Hamburg, Germany:
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
