Hyundai Heavy receives test approval for HiBallast system

Korean firm Hyundai Heavy Industries has received final test approval for its electrolysis HiBallast system from the Government of Korea.

Ballast water is seawater will be used to stablise the ship while loading and unloading the cargo, as well as maintaining optimal vessel speed.

The seawater can contain bacteria, local plankton, mud, and sand from the unloading port where the ballast water has been taken in. As the ballast water is released, it can have an impact on the marine ecosystem.

Hyundai Heavy’s Hi Ballast System will treat the seawater by filtering and sterilising bacteria and plankton, bigger than 50µm, through this electrolysis method.

The system can sterilise about 8,000m³ of seawater and hour, reduce power consumption and extend the life of the ballast.

HiBallast system is the second ballast treatment system developed by Hyundai.

EcoBallast system which was developed earlier by Hyundai Heavy, sterilises seawater by using ultraviolet rays and has received its final test approval in March.

Hyundai Heavy has received orders for HiBallast and EcoBallast system to be installed in around 30 ships.

According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), it is vital that all new ships delivered from 2012 must have an approved ballast water treatment system installed.

With these international regulations, the market for ballast water treatment systems is expected to increase to more than $13bn by 2016.

IMO has developed the international convention for the control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments.

The regulations were devised to standardise discharges of ballast water and to minimise the risk of introducing non-native species.