Anglo-Eastern Opens BWT Training Facility
Global ship management services provider Anglo-Eastern Ship Management has created a unique ballast water treatment (BWT) training facility at its Manila base in the Philippines. Working in conjunction with BWT specialist Optimarin and Saga Shipholding, Anglo-Eastern has built an essential resource for training crews in the wake of the ratification of the IMO’s Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention.
The facility, which officially opened this month, features a fully functional Optimarin Ballast System (OBS) at its heart, with a special pump house, piping, and practical and classroom-based learning environments. Saga, which has installed OBS systems throughout its entire fleet of 32 advanced vessels, provided logistics support for the project.
“Now that the BWM convention has finally come into force, every applicable vessel in the world fleet requires a compliant BWT system,” commented Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen. “It’s therefore vital that crews everywhere get the training they need to ensure carefree, simple and reliable operation.
“With this in mind, we think the move by Anglo-Eastern to create this dedicated facility, in one of the world’s recognized centers for maritime talent, is exactly what shipowners and operators are crying out for. The OBS is now established as the industry’s preferred choice – with unbeatable compliance, including USCG approval, alongside simple installation and proven, environmentally friendly technology – so it made perfect sense utilizing it as the platform for teaching these skills.”
Anglo-Eastern’s facility, conveniently located in the Makati central business district of Manila, is available for use by all global clients. Capt. Pradeep Chawla, who as Managing Director Group QHSE and Training heads up all training activities for the leader in specialist maritime training and ship management, says the combination of hands-on experience and technical learning sessions will provide real benefits for both students, and their employers:
“BWT is a relatively young sector and, although many companies and individuals understand its importance, they lack insight into the technology, maintenance and operational issues,” Capt. Chawla notes. “This new centre fills that knowledge gap, giving seamen the skills they need and owners and operators a strong foundation for compliant, problem free sailing.
“Anglo-Eastern is focused on providing the support services that the industry needs, and we’re proud to be leading the market when it comes to the provision of this niche, yet critical, competency.”
The Manila facility becomes the second Anglo-Eastern Ship Management school to house an OBS, after a sister unit was installed, also in collaboration with Saga, in the firm’s Mumbai centre in 2015.
“This development marks a further strengthening of the partnership we have with Anglo-Eastern and Optimarin,” concludes Eivind Holte, Senior Technical Manager at Saga Shipholding. “We’ve worked with Optimarin as our BWT supplier of choice since 2011, ensuring the compliance and flexibility of our global fleet with their trusted UV-based and environmentally friendly units. Anglo-Eastern, meanwhile, provides full technical management for our vessels, helping us operate with optimal performance and efficiency 24/7.
“Through an initiative like this we can strengthen the skill base of our own crew and, more importantly, also help the entire industry comply with a crucial regulation. As an environmentally responsible shipowner, this is of huge significance to our company, and all our worldwide stakeholders.”
Optimarin has been exclusively focused on developing BWT technology since its formation in 1994. Renowned as the company to install the first ever commercial system – on the Princess Regal in 2000 – it also became the first supplier to receive full USCG approval in December 2016.
The Norwegian-headquartered company has received orders for around 500 OBS systems, with more than 300 installed worldwide. Over 100 of these have been retrofits, delivered in conjunction with global engineering partners Goltens and Zeppelin Power Systems.