U.S. Coast Guard Issues First Ballast Water Management System Type-Approval Certificate

The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center today issued the first U.S.C.G. Ballast Water Management System Type Approval Certificate to Norwegian manufacturer Optimarin AS after a detailed review of the type approval application determined the system met the requirements of 46 CFR 162.060.

The Optimarin Ballast System is a filtration/ultraviolet ballast water management system with treatment capacities ranging from 167m3/h to 3000m3/h.

“Today’s decision marks a significant milestone for the maritime industry in addressing the threat posed by invasive species,” stated Capt. John Mauger, commanding officer of the Marine Safety Center. “The U.S. Coast Guard’s testing requirements set strong standards for the performance and validation of ballast water management systems under a range of conditions. The issuance of the type approval certificate documents the ability of the Optimarin Ballast System to meet the U.S. Coast Guard’s standards.”

The Marine Safety Center continues to review type approval applications from other BWMS manufacturers. Each type approval application includes thousands of pages of data and analysis to document compliance with the comprehensive land-based and shipboard testing requirements. In addition, the applications include detailed descriptions of materials, evaluations of component suitability for the maritime environment, and operating manuals. The Marine Safety Center remains in constant communications with the manufacturers and the Independent Laboratories to keep them apprised of the status of our review.

“While this is a significant milestone, it is the first of multiple system approvals that are needed to mitigate the threat of harmful aquatic invasive species,” said Rear Adm. Paul Thomas, assistant commandant for prevention policy. “One size does not fit all, so we will continue to evaluate other systems submitted by multiple manufactures with the intent to provide options that meet shipping’s varying needs.”

For more information on BWM compliance, check out the Coast Guard’s ballast water portal.