Optimarin and Goltens ink BWT retrofit partnership

Optimarin ceo Tore Andersen explained to Seatrade Global that the company targets a 10% share of the BWT retrofit market for vessels up to 50,000 dwt, which total around 25,000.

The likely adoption of the IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention (BMWC) next year – especially now the ICS has dropped its objections - and its entry into force 12 months later, means potential orders for around 2,500 retrofit installations within the next seven years or about 350 a year, he said.

Installation of OBS will cost around $400,000 to $1m depending on the type of vessel, he added.

The tie-up with Goltens means that specialists from the Dutch group’s 25 service stations worldwide and workforce of 1,200 will ensure that installation work is carried out during the scheduled drydocking period, said Maartin Jeronimus, md of Goltens Rotterdam and vp Goltens Europe.

Goltens engineers take measurements using 3D laser scanning, to determine to within 2 mm the dimensions of pipework and other parts needed, in order for prefabrication to take place before a vessel arrives at drydock, allowing installation to take place straight away. In this way as many as 350 installations a year “will not be an issue,” Jeronimus said.

In fact Goltens is aiming for similar deals with other manufacturers as it targets 4-5% of the entire market of around 50,000 vessels that will need BWT retrofits, added business development manager Jurrien Baretta.