Optimarin is continuing its strong 2016 performance with the announcement that the ballast water treatment (BWT) system specialist has picked up an order covering 15 vessels from VARD shipyards. The vessels, VARD 9 21 Design specialist module carriers, will be constructed at two yards in Romania – Vard Braila and Vard Tulcea – and one in Vietnam, Vard Vung Tau.
The win maintains Optimarin’s recent new business success, with confirmed orders for 2016 now approaching 100 units. Alongside VARD, other contracts of note have included a 46 vessel fleet agreement with Carisbrooke, a ten unit order for Atlantis Tankers, a further ten for the Royal Netherlands Navy, nine systems for Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group, three for Saga Shipholding (adding to an additional 26 systems already installed on its fleet) and two for Solvang ASA, amongst others.
“This is an excellent contract which further strengthens our position at the head of the BWT market,” comments Optimarin CEO Tore Andersen. “VARD knows our systems well, having installed some 55 units on their newbuildings across the world since 2011. They choose us for our expertise and commitment to absolute compliance, as well as the fact that our technology is proven, reliable and simple to install and maintain. The fact that this contract is for a shipowner of the standing of Topaz makes it even sweeter.”
Optimarin will deliver its UV-based Optimarin Ballast Systems (OBS) to the yards between Q4 2016 and Q4 2017. The versatile Topaz vessels, measuring 123m long and 16.5m wide, will boast the capacity to carry high deck loads of up to 1800 tons.
A spokesperson from VARD says of the decision to choose Optimarin: “Optimarin has developed advanced, environmentally friendly technology that, thanks to its modular nature, is simple to install on specialist vessels where space is limited. They understand our requirements and we understand their system is leading the market, in performance, compliance and predictability. That’s what we want to give our customers and that’s why we return to Optimarin for key orders of this nature.”
Optimarin’s OBS is currently in its final stages of the USCG approval programme and is fully IMO compliant. The technology is certified by a comprehensive range of classification organisations, including DNV GL, Lloyd’s, Bureau Veritas, MLIT Japan, and American Bureau of Shipping.
Optimarin, which focuses exclusively on ballast water treatment, installed the world’s first commercial BWT unit on the cruise ship Princess Regal in 2000. The business has since received orders for close to 500 OBS systems.
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