Talking to Emma Howell, Media Director, Seatrade Maritime, Bill said his decision to launch at this event was in large part due to the focus on decarbonisation and sustainability goals and how that adheres to his own business which offers barge-based/port-side ballast water treatment as a service.
“Freedom Ballast is a new JV, which started in January of this year. We are currently permitted to operate as of the 3rd March granted to us from Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The permit allows us to operate along the Louisiana Gulf Coast and the Calcasieu River, the Sabine River, and the Mississippi River from head passes all the way up to Baton Rouge, about 200 miles. By the fourth quarter of 2022, we'll have our first barge operating in that area.
Asked what this means for the industry, Bill said: “Our mobile ballast water treatment service allows treatment on-land or barge in ports, terminals and shipyards. If an on-board system is not installed or malfunctions, we can provide a certified option in port.”
The mobile system is connected to the vessel’s ballast water piping and pumped through the system by the ship’s ballast pump. Once it has passed the system, the ballast water is in full compliance with the IMO criteria for ballast water discharge.
With plans for more permits, Freedom Ballast has its sights on expanding its service throughout 2022 and beyond.
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