Ballast water treatment firms set to grow

2013-07-01

Resources Ballast Technologies CEO Bernard Jacobs says shipping companies will benefit from quality ballistic systems. Standards for ballast water treatment are expected to improve once a convention by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is ratified — and Cape Town-based Resources Ballast Technologies (RBT) aims to capitalise on this.

The Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments is aimed at addressing the spread of animals, invasive alien species, bacteria and viruses to other waters by vessels and carriers. It is estimated that the Great Lakes in Africa suffer losses worth more than $100bn because of contamination.

Africa has some of the fastest-growing economies in the world and the region is expected to continue with this upward trend. Ports in countries such as Angola, Namibia and South Africa are key drivers of trade between Africa and the rest of the world.

RBT was awarded a certificate from the International Maritime Organisation earlier this month, which gives it access to an industry worth an estimated $34bn worldwide. Type approval — as the certificate is called — is the final endorsement the body can give to a ballast technology company and RBT aims to also get the approval of Det Norske Veritas — one of the major companies in the classification society business.

Drafted in 2004, the convention targets, among other things, the inspection, certification of ballast water samples and records for "ships to which the convention applies". The convention will be enforced once states representing the world’s maritime industries ratify it.

RBT CEO Bernard Jacobs said in March it was important that Africa and the world got the standards of ballast water technology up to scratch.

"The problem (of contamination) is global and it’s difficult to answer. You can only make that estimation if you have comparative test results. A lot of regions don’t do testing, but South Africa does this, looking at measurements and alien species."

Mr Jacobs said while Wilhelmsen Technical Solutions left the industry last year, RBT’s systems had the initial licences for water ballast technology.

"They were not withdrawing the technology from the market. It’s always been owned by us and its approval is still valid."

Mr Jacobs said while the shipping industry was generally compliant to International Maritime Organisation regulation, the convention would mean shipping companies would benefit from quality ballistic systems.

He said RBT was in talks with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Science and Technology on incubation, since the company was in "uncharted territory".

Siemens Water Systems provides a ballast water management system known as SeaCURE. Siemens says the system can be used not only for ballast water treatment but for marine growth prevention too, allowing the operator to save on expenses over time.

Siemens water technology director of global business development Lars Nupnau said last week the deadline for bigger ships was last January, when new ships had to be equipped with a treatment system. He says from 2016 older ships will need to be "retrofitted" with a system.

"Shipowners should check how testing was performed and by which organisation, and take a look at the test details, which should be available. Ballast water management systems from companies with experience in maritime technologies are also more likely to meet the requirements," Mr Nupnau says.

Given the magnitude of necessary investment, every ship-owning company should start their preparations for the ratification of the conventions, he says.

"It is advisable to make a thorough study of the market and what is on offer, based not only on price," Mr Nupnau says.

RBT and SeaCURE expect a high demand for their products once the maritime conventions are ratified.

Source from : Business Day Live

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