Ballast water treatment

The IMO BWM Convention and the USCG Final Rule have been deployed to protect marine biodiversity against invasive species thanks to ballast water management regulations. Alfa Laval offer type approved ballast water treatment system (BWTS) with a portfolio of service offerings supporting compliance. Without use of toxic chemicals, the UV treatment technology behind the Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 offers superior ballast water treatment in all kinds of waters.

Total solutions in ballast water treatment

Type approved for compliance with IMO Ballast Water Management Convention and the USCG Ballast Water Discharge Final Rule
Superior ballast water treatment for all kinds of vessels operating in all kinds of waters
Chemical free UV treatment
Well-developed service offerings to ensure non-stop compliance

Experience in ballast water management

Compliance means fulfilling a requirement or a set of rules – in this case, the regulations that govern ballast water management (BWM). The main strategy for ballast water management is ballast water treatment (BWT), which neutralizes organisms in the water. Alfa Laval PureBallast was the first solution to be revised G8 ready (the BWMS Code) and offer total solutions in ballast water treatment built on deep knowledge, extensive resources, strong partnerships and well-developed compliance support services.

If you want to know what’s needed for ballast water compliance then read the guide about what the rules are and how they work.

Read the guide

Turn to us for ballast water treatment

Ready to take the next step towards an Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 system? We would love to provide more information or a quote for your specific vessel.

Orders received

We have received PureBallast orders for different vessel types from all over the world.

Vessel types served

Anchor handling tugs
Bulk carriers
Car carriers
Coastal ferries
Container feeders
Container ships
Cruise ships
Drill ships
General cargo vessels
LNG carriers
LPG carriers
Naval vessels
Offshore supply vessels
Research vessels
River liners
RoRo vessels
Shuttle tankers
Supply vessels
Tankers

Certificates & Approvals

PureBallast 3 is certified by all major classification societies. See which ones.

References

Read success stories about some of the more than PureBallast systems we have delivered so far.

Find your system

Your choice of ballast water treatment system needs to be a perfect match for your vessel, ensuring smooth operations and unfailing compliance with environmental legislation. With Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 you can be certain of both.

Select for the long term

Your ballast water treatment system should last – and provide lasting resale value.

Choose reliability

Make sure your ballast water treatment system lasts as long as your vessel by choosing key components that won't corrode in seawater conditions.

A UV reactor is a pressure vessel that may need replacing in five years if built with a steel grade like 316L. PureBallast 3 reactors are built with super-austenitic stainless steel, expected to last 20 years or more.

Where the vessel can sail will affect potential buyers, as well as what they are willing to pay. They also value equipment from a recognized supplier who they can count on for long-term support worldwide.

Completely secure ballast water treatment

Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 is the dependable choice. A reliable product backed up by a large global organization. We have served the marine industry for a century and have been involved in ballast water treatment since it was first proposed.

Choosing a ballast water treatment system

Download our 11-point selection guide that will help you choose the system that’s best for you.

View the guide

The leading supplier and system

PureBallast is the most established choice in ballast water treatment.

Ballast water treatment legislation

Since the IMO Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention was ratified, the issue of ballast water treatment legislation has become urgent worldwide, raising questions in the industry.

A history of leadership

We have been involved with ballast water treatment for more than a decade, developing treatment technology. We have provided biological and technical expertise on key panels to develop standards and educate the market.

Developed in cooperation with Wallenius Water, PureBallast is a mature system at the forefront of ballast water treatment. The original system was launched in 2006 and was the first commercially available treatment solution.

Widely sold and widely trusted

More than 1,700 PureBallast systems have been delivered and commissioned. Hundreds of PureBallast systems have been installed as retrofits, and installations performed worldwide at a diverse range of shipyards and vessel types: container ships, tankers, bulk carriers, offshore supply vessels, naval vessels and more.

Total support worldwide

We have a complete range of solutions for new-build and retrofits. Our large-scale production is ready to meet your needs as the BWM Convention comes into force.

Shipyards and engineering companies get clear, thorough documentation and expert consultation. We offer best-in-class support including Performance Agreements.

Get everything you need, from advice to parts and service, anywhere in the world.

Ballast water treatment legislation

Which regulations apply?

The regulations explain when, where and how ballast water treatment should occur. There are two sets to have in focus, depending on where your vessel sails:

The USCG Ballast Water Discharge Standard

The USCG Ballast Water Discharge Standard has been in force since June 2012. As of December 2013, all new vessels wishing to deballast in United States waters must comply, with requirements for existing vessels following.

During an initial period, certain IMO-approved systems have been approved for use in United States waters as Alternative Management Systems (AMS). Due to the availability of treatment systems with USCG type approval, IMO systems installed after 7 March 2017 are no longer given AMS approval.

Systems submitted for USCG type approval must currently be tested according to the CMFDA/FDA staining method. The systems must be well developed when testing is performed, and the tests must be conducted by an independent third party. This degree of transparency adds credibility to the test results.

There are more specific requirements on the monitoring of operating parameters during USCG tests.

To date only a handful of ballast water treatment systems have received USCG type approval, including PureBallast 3. Future acceptance of the most probable number (MPN) testing method, which is more appropriate for UV-based systems like PureBallast 3, would possibly allow the continued use of some systems approved as AMS today.

The IMO BWM Convention

Adopted in 2004, the BWM Convention is known officially as the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship's Ballast Water and Sediments. Though it took many years to ratify, its introduction triggered the development of today's range of treatment systems.

Since its ratification in September 2016, the BWM Convention has made ballast water treatment a major issue worldwide. As of September 2017, newbuilds require type-approved treatment systems, while existing vessels need to have them retrofitted according to the revised IMO implementation schedule. Vessels operating in US waters that have passed their compliance date need to treat the ballast water with a BWMS if discharging in US waters.

Because the BWM Convention was established when less was known about the control mechanisms needed in ballast water treatment, IMO type approval certificates have developed over time. Certificates issued after 2014 offer more detail about the operating limitations of a system, such as salinity, temperature and UV transmittance levels. Any certificate issued before this date should be examined critically and seek the newest revision of a certificate.

Today the BWM Convention is interpreted in a uniform way by third-party testing bodies worldwide, who strive to ensure a high degree of transparency in all testing procedures.