ERMA First BWTS Receives IMO Final Approval
The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee, having considered the recommendations contained in the GESAMP reports of MEPC 63/2/11, granted final approval to ERMA First Ballast Water Treatment system, during the latest IMO MEPC 63 meeting, which took place from the February 27 till March 2, 2012.
After years of intensive research and development, with rigorous testing performed under the strict criteria imposed by reputable European Institutes, ERMA First officially proves the effectiveness and sustainability of its purpose, enforced by a compact design with cutting edge technological components revealing a Ballast Water Treatment solution on board.
The results achieved during the Land-Based Tests performed in the reputable NIOZ (The Royal Netherland Institute for Sea Research), and the Shipboard Tests, with discharge limits far below the IMO D-2 standards, demonstrated a prospective compliance with even the most demanding US requirements.
ERMA First Ballast Water Treatment System uses a simple 200 micron self-cleaning pre-filter, a 20 micron hydrocyclone technology exhibiting outstanding performance in very high sediment loads and advanced energy efficient electrolytic cells, which provide a perfect combination of: very low footprint in tailor-made, ship-type optimum arrangements; very low power consumption; easiness of installation with minimized labor and material costs; risk-free operation in all sea conditions; enhanced performance with stable operation, even in ultimately high-sediment loads; extremely low maintenance and operating costs; and simplicity of operation, on a fully automated functional principle, easy for crew use.
Lloyds Register Classification Society (LRS) is currently appraising the technical documentation of ERMA First in co-operation with the Greek Administration for issuing Type Approval by the end of March, 2012.