JANUARY 23, 2012 — Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) have received approval in concept from ClassNK for a ballast water treatment system (BWTS) enclosed in a standard-size freight container that can be contained in the hold of containerships. The new technology will significantly reduce BWTS retrofitting turnaround time in comparison to BWTS installation in the engine-room

The container-type BWTS houses most equipment necessary for ballast water treatment in a 40-ft high-cube container, approx. 12.2 m in length, 2.4 m in width x 2.9 m in height. The equipment is arranged within the container to maximize available space and facilitate maintenance.

Installing the BWTS in the hold simplifies preliminary surveys as the only major work needed is ballast water intake/discharge and power line connection. In most cases, work can be completed in approximately two weeks, about seven days less than installation in an engine room. The work does not require cutting of the ship's side shell, and can be completed at pierside, eliminating the need to drydock. The container-type BWTS is ideal for ships that do not have enough space in the engine room for related systems and piping.

MHI and MOL will verify the new system's operation by installing it on MOL Competence, an 8,100 TEU delivered to MOL in 2008 by MHI's Nagasaki Shipyard and Machinery Works and delivered to MOL in 2008.

MHI has already begun detailed design of a system with the capacity to process 750 cu.m of ballast water per hour on the ship, with installation slated for this spring.