U.S. Coast Guard issues type approval for previous-generation Alfa Laval BWMS

Peter Sahlén, Head of Alfa Laval PureBallast

On December 30, 2020, as we reported earlier, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) issued its type approval for the Alfa Laval PureBallast 2 ballast water management system. The approval means that most owners of Alfa Laval’s second-generation ballast water treatment systems can now opt to continue operating in United States waters, even when their Alternate Management System (AMS) approval expires.

The PureBallast 2 system generation, launched a decade ago, was developed long before the USCG presented its testing regime, says Alfa Laval. As a result, certain technical modifications were needed before PureBallast 2 could undergo USCG testing. With the modifications in place, a PureBallast 2 system with a Boll & Kirsch filter completed the tests in April 2020, and the solution has now received USCG type approval.

“We are proud to bring USCG type approval to owners who selected PureBallast early on,” says Peter Sahlén, Head of Alfa Laval PureBallast. “A ballast water treatment system should last as long as the vessel, and we are committed supporting PureBallast customers throughout that lifetime. No matter when they made their purchase, Alfa Laval is behind them.”

Easy upgrading for shipowners who choose it

Owners who wish to take advantage of the USCG type approval will need to perform a minor upgrade of their PureBallast 2 systems, comprising the necessary adjustments to meet USCG requirements. After upgrading, PureBallast 2 systems will be approved for operation in both seawater and brackish water.

“The transition to USCG type approval will be a simple service option for shipowners,” says Sahlén. “Alfa Laval’s global service organization focuses not only on securing uptime, but also on bringing customers maximum benefit from their equipment choice. With the USCG type approval upgrade for PureBallast 2, we provide yet another way to keep ballast water treatment systems optimized over time.”