DOF inks deal with Optimarin for BWT systems

Ballast water technology systems provider Optimarin, Stavanger, Norway, recently signed a framework agreement with offshore vessel owner DOF for high-efficiency BWT systems to be retrofit in existing ships (with options for newbuilds) over a period of three years, from 2012 to 2015.

Worldwide, there is an estimated 39,000 ships that must be fitted with ballast water systems over the next few years. The retrofit of BWT systems on ships is expected to generate business for shipyards.

As for DOF, it owns and operates 75 platform supply vessels, anchor handling tugs, construction vessels and subsea ROV vessels in the North Sea, Africa, Brazil, Argentina, the Gulf of Mexico and Asia Pacific.

“The majority of the retrofit business will coincide with DOF drydocking agendas during 2012 to 2015,” says Tore Andersen, Director, Optimarin.

Optimarin is driving market standards for BWT performance and the DOF agreement represents significant supply and business, but also reinforces the company’s reputation as a market leading BWT systems supplier to the shipping and offshore-shipping sectors.

“This framework agreement initiates a long-term relationship with DOF whereby we will be working closely together to deliver solutions to meet their operational demands. DOF is operating worldwide and most likely drydocking activities will be in Asia, Far East, Brazil and the North Sea,” says Andersen. Anderson says the contract creates a structure for DOF needed to measure and improve fleetwide BWT performance.”

“Optimarin is optimal technology and a standardized BWT system solution. Our system is very modular, easy to install and requires a small footprint. These are key advantages when serving DOF’s retrofit demands where some installations will be made under vessel operation or during extremely tight drydock deadlines,” says Andersen.

December 13, 2011