A substantial step towards Type Approval: SKF BlueSonic BWMS passed land-based tests

SKF’s new ballast water management system (BWMS) passed the land-based tests and has thus taken a great step forward towards IMO- and USCG Type Approval.

SKF is proud to announce that SKF’s BlueSonic BWMS successfully passed all land-based tests required by both revised IMO G8 Resolution MEPC.279(70) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG). Testing took place under all salinities (marine, brackish and fresh water), with holding times of one day in each case. 

New regulations, from both the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the US Coast Guard, will put greater restrictions on ballast water treatment. The IMO, for instance, will insist that all vessels have an approved ballast water management system by 2024. (Previously, this only applied to vessels built since 2017.) 

SKF chose DNV-GL as a partner in applying for the USCG type approval. Land-based testing was performed by DHI Denmark, DNV-GL’s associated sub-laboratory for USCG testing. 

SKF BlueSonic BWMS is now undergoing rigorous environmental and shipboard testing and is expected to be granted a full compliance certificate in early 2020. This will be in plenty of time for the 2024 cut-off date for retrofitting a BWMS.