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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - IV-BWTS (In-Voyage Ballast Water Treatment System)

Teaser

Summary

Background
Ballast water is the dominant vehicle for transport of invasive species in the marine environment, threatening eco-environmental stability and diversity. More than 7,000 different species are transported in the ballast water every day and 3-10 billion cubic meter of ballast water are each year let over board. Changes to the marine environment are irreversible, causing lasting damage (and sometimes extinction) to native species, ecosystems and environments. The financial losses caused by invasive species transported in ballast water are more than â‚¬50 billion per year in EU and a similar amount in the US.

Bawat has developed a ballast water management system (BWMS) that eliminates invasive species in the shipâ€™s ballast water tanks employing a new treatment principle. The Bawat BWMS solution uses excess heat from the vessel engines, thereby saving energy and costs. The treatment system runs automatically and independently of other on-board procedures and is up to 50 % cheaper to operate for the ship owners than any competing system, and easier to fit in both existing and new vessels. It sets itself apart from other systems by:
â€¢ Treating the ballast water in-voyage using waste heat from the vessel engines (instead of using electrical power and interfering with cargo operations when in harbours)
â€¢ Using pasteurization (instead of filtering, UV-irradiation or addition of active substances, chemicals or toxins)
â€¢ Using a biological activity monitor to measure ballast water quality and treating it accordingly.

Project context and objectives
To prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species, which can cause irreversible changes to the marine environment and ecosystems, vessels are required to comply with the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ballast Water and Sediments by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Furthermore, when operating in the waters of the United States, vessels are also required to comply with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Standards for Living Organisms in Shipsâ€™ Ballast Water Discharged in U.S. Waters. Bawat BWMS has already been type approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and obtaining the USCG approval is a crucial qualifier to target the market.

The overall objective of the project is to obtain the USCG type approval of the Bawat BWMS. The secondary objectives are to upgrade the control and management of the pasteurization unit, and to test an on-board performance of a real time biological activity monitoring system.

Work performed

The project is structured in eight work packages and the following achievements were obtained during the first reporting period:
Initially Bawat set a series of procedures to ensure effective project management. Some of the activities are monthly project status reports, stage gate review meetings or coaching activities. Implementing these reduces risks and improves the execution and planning of the project.

A comprehensive series of pre-tests were carried out and completed during the first reporting period. Pre-tests and definition of type approval scope were defined to ensure that the Bawat BWMS is fully optimized before initiating formal type approval testing activities according to the USCG requirements.

Next step was a Readiness Evaluation package prepared for submission to USCG. The package included an extensive list of documentation material such as bill of materials, general arrangement drawings, electric and electronic wiring diagrams, etc.

Parallel to the preparatory work an agreement with an Independent Laboratory to implement USCG type approval tests was carried out.

An updated Control & Monitoring Unit was developed for the Bawat BWMS and it was ensured its compliance with the applicable IMO, USCG and Independent Laboratory standards and environmental test requirements.

The construction and commissioning of a dedicated tank for employment in land based tests was carried through the first six months of the reporting period and land based tests were performed during the latter months of the reporting period. Ship board tests are scheduled to begin on the next reporting period.

The following achievements were obtained during the second reporting period:

Bawat follows the procedures set up during the first reporting period to ensure effective project management. These include project status reports, stage gate review meetings and coaching activities.

A coaching program was conducted during the second reporting period with a maritime specialized consultant. The coaching supported and contributed with valuable input the communication plan that was prepared and submitted during the second reporting period.

Bawat has successfully conducted land based tests and is currently undergoing Ship Board Tests. Bawat is missing one last test campaign, which will be conducted in April 2019. Previous tests were conducted in October 2018, November 2018 and January 2019 (Ship Board Tests must be conducted throughout a period of operation of at least 6 months).

Final results

The organization is preparing to ensure an optimal economic impact by having an active dialogue with present and potential shareholders, developing sales and improving distribution channels. As an example, Bawat launched a new website, and improved communications efforts (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram).
Through the coaching plan carried out in October 2018, Bawat looked further into geographic markets, identification of stakeholders, market strategy and business model.