(SANDNES, Norway) — Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) has selected Optimarin to supply the ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) for nine offshore patrol cutters (OPC) to be built at its Panama City, Fla., shipyard.
The agreement with ESG will see the Optimarin ballast systems (OBS) fitted in the new OPCs, designed to support the nation's maritime security and undertake vital border protection duties. Equipped to carry helicopters, over-the-horizon (OTH) boats and featuring sophisticated combat systems, these vessels will begin replacing the existing medium endurance cutters in 2021.
“This is a banner day for Optimarin,” said company CEO Tore Andersen. “The USCG is a flag bearer in the fight against invasive species carried in ballast water and sets the bar for BWT regulations globally. ESG selecting the OBS positions us at the forefront of the industry and is a huge endorsement of the effectiveness and proven reliability of our technology.”
When Optimarin became the first BWT supplier to gain USCG type approval in December 2016, John Mauger of USCG’s Marine Safety Center (MSC) described the event as “an important milestone for the future of protecting our nation’s waterways from the spread of invasive species.”
The OBS utilizes a combination of filtration and powerful UV lamps to treat ballast water without the need for chemicals. The systems are simple to operate, maintain and due to their modular design can be fitted in vessels where available space is at a premium.
Andersen said, “To date, we’ve sold close to 600 units with over 400 installed and operating.” More than 150 OBS have been retrofitted by Optimarin’s global engineering partners and in 2017 Optimarin introduced a five-year fleet agreement for parts and service guarantees.
