Crowley Maritime Corporation has entered into strategic partnership agreement with South Korean-based green technology developer Panasia Co., Ltd. for ballast water treatment systems to be installed during retrofitting of its ATB fleet. The agreement also includes technical services, engineering, integration, commissioning, training, scheduled delivery and spare parts.
Panasia GloEn-Patrol treatment system utilizes a filter to remove 50 micron or larger size organisms and medium-pressure UV lamps to disinfect smaller organisms. The GloEn-Patrol models treat from 50 to 6,000 cubic meters of ballast water per hour. They have IMO-type approval and certification from many classification societies including American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and DNV GL, and U.S. Coast Guard Alternate Management Systems (USCG AMS) for nonhazardous areas such as engine rooms, and explosion proof models for installation in areas such as the main decks of articulated tug barges (ATBs) and tankers.
“We found Panasia ballast water treatment systems to be a good operational and functional fit for our vessels, backed with a level of commitment and service we require,” said Bill Metcalf, Crowley vice president of strategic engineering. “Panasia and their management team is fully committed to our vessels’ safety and environmental performance of our ballast water systems, and we are pleased to have them as our partner.”
Mark Miller, Crowley vice president of corporate communications, said the company competitively bid with more than 20 ballast water treatment systems manufactures from all major technologies, including UV, electro chlorination and chemical. “[Crowley made its] decision on a weighted value based on crew work load, operational parameters, installation and integration, manufacture assurances and warrantees and best overall package, based on price, spare parts, engineering services, regulatory approved containerized turnkey units for deck mounting, services, training and commissioning.”
Miller said 34 of Crowley’s vessels are presently candidates to undergo BWT system retrofitting, with options for additional vessels and managed fleets down the line. The retrofit work will be carried out through competitive bids as part of Crowley’s dry docking process with U.S. shipyards. Crowley will see BWT systems retrofitted aboard four of its vessels in 2016, 16 in 2017, eight in 2018, two in 2019 and four in 2020.
DNV GL is completing required tasks for Panasia to secure USCG type approval and providing its report by October 2016. DHI Group has been chosen for shipboard tests and Golden Bear Facilities has begun the work on the land-based tests, all under DNV GL’s guidance and supervision to comply with the Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program.
