Ecochlor BWMS Gets USCG AMS Acceptance

Ecochlor, Inc. receives US Coast Guard Alternative Management System (AMS) acceptance for its full line of ballast water management systems (BWMS).

AMS acceptancel allows ship operators to use an Ecochlor ballast water management system in US waters to effectively manage their ballast discharges. It is also an indication that Ecochlor’s BWMS are up to the challenge of successfully completing the United States Coast Guard (USCG) review.

AMS approval allows ship operators to use ballast water management systems that have been type approved outside the United States for up to five years, while the vendor of the system proceeds through the USCG type approval application process. The AMS process focuses on the biological data of foreign type approved BWMS as well as system construction and engineering matters in order to identify any issues that might exist for ultimate type approval in the United States. Although separate from the USCG type approval process, AMS includes an extensive review of system test results and laboratory findings, including analytical procedures and methods, quality assurance and control procedures and interpretations of results.

Charlie Miller, Chairman and CEO of Ecochlor commented, “We are pleased to be among the first group of companies to receive AMS acceptance. An AMS determination offers ship owners an additional level of security and assurance that the efficacy and performance of Ecochlor’s ballast water treatment systems will meet both present and future discharge standards throughout the world.“

The Ecochlor® BWTS uses a two-step process to treat ballast water – filtration followed by disinfection with the well-known biocide, chlorine dioxide. The system’s effectiveness is not impaired by variations in salinity, temperature, turbidity, organics, and vibration, which can impact other treatment options, say the manufacturers.