Saga Shipholding signs ballast water contract with Optimarin

2016-05-04

Saga Shipholding signs ballast water contract with Optimarin

Saga Shipholding has signed a contract for three Optimarin Ballast Systems (OBS), for installation on newbuild bulkers under construction at Oshima Shipbuilding in Japan.

The new purchase of three 2,000 cu m Ballast Water Management (BWM) systems from Optimarin follows on from a purchase of 26 such systems by Saga Shipholding in 2012, comprising seven newbuilding installations and 19 retrofits. The systems have been in action for four years “with every system operational from its very first day of installation” according to Nils Otto Bjorhovde, Saga Shipholding’s Hong Kong-based technical manager.

Due for delivery in 2016 and 2017, the new open hatch supramax bulk carriers will carry pulp from South America to markets in Europe and the Far East. However, Saga is also eyeing the US market.

“USCG’s (US Coast Guard's) standards are obviously more stringent than those imposed by IMO, and I think Optimarin have been very wise to commit to them,” said Bjorhovde. “That gives us complete confidence that the systems on-board our vessels will comply with regulations now, and into the future, and that’s vitally important for a responsible shipowner such as Saga.”

The news follows on from a number of successful dealings for Optimarin so far this year, with signed contracts with Atlantis Tankers, Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group and 46 potential retrofits with Carisbrooke.

“When customers like Saga, who use the system day-in day-out, across entire fleets, come back for more it cements our position as a preferred partner for responsible ship companies who require performance, reliability and compliance,” said Optimarin coe Tore Andersen.

Source from : Seatrade Global

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