Hyundai Heavy gets approval for HiBallast ballast water treatment system

Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipbuilder, reports that it has received final test approval from the Korean government for its eco-friendly  HiBallast System.

Hyundai Heavy Industries’ HiBallast ballast water treatment system treats seawater by filtering and sterilizing bacteria and plankton bigger than 50 microns using electrolysis. The HiBallast system can sterilize 8,000 cu.m of seawater per hour, reduce power consumption, and extend the life of the ballast.

The new HiBallast system is the second ballast water treatment system that Hyundai Heavy has developed. The EcoBallast system received final test approval in March. That system sterilizes seawater using ultraviolet rays rather than electrolysis. Hyundai Heavy has already received orders for HiBallast and EcoBallast system to be installed 30 ships.

The International Maritime Organization has mandated that all new ships to be delivered from 2012 must have an approved ballast water treatment system installed. Driven by international regulations, the market for ballast water treatment systems is expected to grow to over $13 billion by 2016.

November 28, 2011