OptiMarin & Allweiler AS To Target OSV Ballast Water Treatment
Having six to ten projects already underway, Allweiler AS, Norway and OptiMarin team up to win major future offshore support vessel (OSV) ballast water treatment (BWT) contracts – estimated to peak at NOK 400 million per year for the next four years in the Norwegian offshore shipping market. Some 500 OSVs in the Norwegian market must be retrofitted with BWT systems by 2014.
“The sale and installation of BWT systems represents one of the biggest business booms the ship equipment industry has ever witnessed when the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments comes into force. I have never seen anything like this before. I am pleased that OptiMarin has chosen Allweiler”, says Kaare Johansen (right), CEO, Allweiler AS, Norway.
According to both companies, the agreement has come about as a direct consequence of an increasing demand by shipowners and shipyards for tailor-made package solutions, configuring engine room and cargo pumps with BWT systems. “It is our impression that few owners are aware of the fact that BWT systems are mandatory as of 1 January, 2009 for all vessels constructed (i.e. keel laid) and which have a ballast capacity of less than 5,000 cubic meters”, says Johansen.
Under the terms of the agreement, Allweiler AS, Norway will distribute OptiMarin’s BWT system, OptiMarin Ballast System (OBS) in Norway, to Norwegian owners operating globally and selected international clients. OptiMarin will partner with Allweiler AS, Norway on a contract-to-contract basis as determined by the two companies. “Our partnership with OptiMarin provides Allweiler AS, Norway the opportunity to offer our customers access to the best BWT system available in the market, thus generating a real improvement of our overall proposition”, according to Johansen, “It makes sense for shipowners and shipyards to get a one stop supplier for a total BWT system and ship pump package.”
“Together with Allweiler, we can leverage a broad network of shipowners and shipyards, and offer the offshore vessel market a total BWT system solution unmatched by other suppliers”, says Pål Sanner (left), CEO, OptiMarin. “Partnering with Allweiler AS, Norway strengthens our presence and level of sales support throughout Norway. This collaboration will increase visibility and business potential of both companies in the offshore shipping and merchant marine industries,” says Sanner.
The OptiMarin Ballast System can easily be installed in existing or new ships and can handle flows up to 3,000 cu.m/h. The system is well suited for a total range of vessels from offshore AHTS vessels and PSVs to small handy size carriers, Handymax, Panamax, Capesize and cruise vessels.