A very interesting interview was given to nafsgreen.gr by Dimitris Poulos, Regional Manager, Service and Equipment Marine and Diesel Power, Alfa Laval regarding the implementation of BWM Convention.
The interview of Mr. Poulos has as follows:
1) Alfa Laval PureBallast 3, the third generation of Alfa Laval’s ballast water treatment technology, has recently received an updated type approval from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Could you pls tell us e few words about it?
Alfa Laval has applied almost six (6) months ago for the release of holding time that really was for a few owners a barrier for the quick operation of the system. The updated USCG type approval has reduced the holding time to 2,5 hours, a period that is not giving any barrier to any owner for the operation in all ports of the world. Also AL has launched recently the PB3.2 1500 M3/h reactor , in order to be able to serve even bigger capacities with the same efficiency and same footprint with smaller ones. ALFA LAVAL has a very strong R&D dpt and continiously is investing in the improvement of the systems targeting to the most ecomomical solution for the owner. With more than 1800 running installations and already four (4) versions from 2008 , there is a huge accumulated experience in order to optimize fully the process.
2) How possible is to keep operations simple, even under the more complicated USCG legislation?
Actually the AL system is fully automatic. Running the system into USCG mode , the system needs just start and stop. Having a UV sensor and measuring continiously the UV intensity , the system immediately reacts in order to run into the USCG limits. For an AL system , IMO or USCG operation is the same , just start and stop. The system runs in different software and operation sequense depending from the waters that operate.
3) What is the reason UV treatment systems have had holding times in United States waters? And how PureBallast 3 faces this matter?
The UV systems are not killing the microorganisms , they just make them non viable. Due to the fact that MPN method that was initially applied for the measuring of the non viability has been rejected, the stain methodology has been established the one and unique methodology of this factor. Initially in the first application and also due to the fact that USCG was in the initial stage of approval , a holding time of 72 Hours has been applied. AL was obliged to do again the tests in the certified laboratories and has been proven that there is no problem with the holding time . The new certificate applied some weeks ago has a holding time of 2,5 hours. This holding time is now not a barrier for any kind of operation of shipowners.
4) Could you illustrate an accurate picture of the shipping industry as it progresses towards compliance for ballast water treatment?
There is no way back. All ships need to have on board a Ballast system and the deadlines are well set of the MEPC of previous year. Already a lot of manufacturers have abandonned the project of optmizing their initial prototypes due to the fact finally to apply a good system , to pass the tests and to organise a massive production and service network for all the commisionings of the retrofit business, is not so easy operation. The accumulated experience of the first installations is giving now to the owners a very good picture of operational aspects. Also the first retrofit installations are giving signs that god project management is necessary. There is only one way forward , to install a good system , taking into account the value of the system in all the life of the ship.
5) We all know that no single BWM treatment technology works for all types of vessels. What does it mean in practise?
The retrofit installation of the Ballast System is not an easy retrofit. Space & electrical consumption are problems that can not overpassed easily. Any available technology ( UV, Electroclorination, Chemicals, etc ) has advantages and disadvantages. In practise, every shipwoner has to evaluate first to fulfil drastically the available space and to see if he has electrical power to support the systems. After is coming the quality of the system, the price to purschase it but most important the cost per year and the risk of deadtime due to not good avaulability of spares & service from manufacturers. Just one possible delay in the cargo operation is enough to depreciate all cost saved due to the preference in a cheap system.
6) How difficult is to have effective cooperation throughout all the BWMS retrofit project phases with shipowners, shipyard, classification societies etc?
Here, is very important the good project management and prompt implementation of all phases of the installation. Engineering of the retrofit is very important and gives a lot of savings if there is an optimum design. The good support of manufacturer to thengineering phase is vital. All related parties are nowdays very occupied , so a good and prompt phasing of all steps is extremely important.
7) In what ways do you ensure that Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 is the best solution for shipping industry, and how important is the Alfa Laval’s global network which provides smooth access to service and parts?
ALFA LAVAL is optimizing the product continously. Already we are in the fifth version and collecting data from installations ,we are trying for the best outcome. We have already oredrs for 3000 ships and we support owners, engineering companies, class societies and yards in all the phases of the project. ALFA LAVAL already has a network of 120 specialized service engineers and we are recruiting every month more and more. Spares of every kind already are available in three distribution centers of the world and can fly just some hours after the order. Is not an easy operation , needs a lot of preparation that for AL has started a lot of years ago.
8) Pls tell us few words about Alfa Laval’s expertise and ongoing support that will help to secure compliance in the long term.
ALFA LAVAL is present is about 81 countries and has service stations in more than 100 ports of the world. Also talking about AL Greece already there is a dedicated service dpt focusing only on the retrofit and service of the systems of Greek shipowners. We support customer in all phases of installation, from first feasibility study until service contracts for all product life. We focus in the value in the long term. A few manufacturers can support the whole chain and really is a questionmark how the manufacturers will be able to support well the systems when this retrofit peak will finish. ALFA LAVAL due to the marine orientation and the fact that manufactures and support more than 17 applications on board , will be able to support also this product with the reliable way that market knows that is doing in our 100 years of history with marine equipment on board.
9) Training is integral to success in ballast water treatment. What are the actions of Alfa Laval in crew training to help customers ensure safe, correct and efficient operation of their PureBallast 3 systems?
Training is extremely important because actually there is not any knowledge on board nowdays. The chief engineers that are the main brain if technical expertise on board have not accumulated experience as they have to the other systems. ALFA LAVAL has already 5 training centers in all over the world and AL Greece already is giving training to the crews and techical dpt engineers for the correct and safe operation of the systems. Also we have developed relevant simulators for the easy learning of the system from distance and a lot of e-learning programs and webinars. Customer has just to contact AL offices and to ask for the available options in order to enhance his skills into the AL Ballast Systems.
10) Shipowners want to secure not just the right technology, but also a stable partner who will be there to support them in the long term. Is that the case?
This is exactly the case. The value of the system has to be evaluated into the product life , not just to the installation phase. What will happen when this retrofit peak will finish? How manufacturers that now they produce 200-500 units per year will survive only with the NewBuilding trend? Shipowner have seriously to take this into account. The systems have to operate for the next 15-20 years in an econimical way , without deadtimes and from well trained crews. Only a few companies can support this model and ALFA LAVAL is by far one of them.
* Regional Manager, Service and Equipment Marine and Diesel Power, Alfa Laval