[090911.EN.SEA] Singapore University Develops New Ballast Water Treatment System

Singapore: The National University of Singapore (NUS) has developed a new ballast water treatment technology that may soon be incorporated on ships.

The BlueSeas Ballast Water Management System (BWMS), approved by the IMO, uses electrolytic treatment technology to disinfect ballast water.

The BlueSeas BWMS will be commercialised once final and type approvals are granted in the next few years.

“The BlueSeas BWMS is an effective and environmentally-friendly solution for ballast water treatment and has numerous advantages over current BWMS available in the market. Our system consumes lower energy, is compact and easy to install, comparing well to other bulkier systems,” said J. Paul Chen, associate professor at NUS' department of civil and environmental engineering.

The IMO requires all ships to install and use an onboard BWMS to treat discharged ballast water by 2016.

Source : STA, 05.09.11.