Damen has signed its first contact with the leading Ballast Water Treatment Systems(BWTS) manufacturer, ERMA FIRST.
The Greek manufacturer ERMA FIRST will be supplying its oneTANK, which is the world’s smallest Ballast Water Treatment System(BWTS). oneTANK uses chemical injection methods to clean ships’ ballast water and therefore represents an important expansion of Damen’s Ballast Water Treatment System portfolio. The contract also marks a key milestone in the co-operation between Damen and the Greek maritime supply sector.
Damen Green Solutions has a broad selection of Ballast Water Treatment Systems in its range. These offer ship-owners various capacities and techniques in treating their ballast water. With the addition of the ERMA FIRST oneTANK, Damen can provide clients with a solution that is not only small, but also modular.
This modularity will be particularly important in Damen’s first project with ERMA FIRST, where the client was looking for a plug-and-play ballast water treatment product that could be placed on the deck of its vessel.
The contract is important to Damen because it broadens the scope of ballast water treatment products that it can offer its clients. “We have different systems available from various manufacturers. We know the pros and cons of all these systems; they have varying capacities and use different techniques: UV, filtration, electrolysis, and now chemical injection. Whatever the client requires, we have the knowledge and experience in house to offer exactly what our they are looking for.”
To treat a vessel’s ballast water, the fully-certified ERMA FIRST oneTANK uses an 8.25% or 12.5% sodium hypochlorite and 30% sodium thiosulfate solution, with both chemicals being neutralised after use. “For owners working with workboats, superyachts and pontoons(smaller vessels) that are not dependent on frequent ballast operations, oneTANK is a great solution,” continues Van Dam.
The fact that ERMA FIRST is a Greek company is another significant aspect about the contract. Throughout the world, Damen has been involved ‘national ship building’ projects that have combined Damen’s own shipbuilding expertise with the capabilities of local industries and workforce.