TLC–BWM Ballast Water Management System: Supply and Installation

ITVC introduced supply and installation services for the TLC–BWM ballast water management system. A project begins with the vessel’s technical requirements, trading area, available space and applicable approval requirements.

What is the BWM Convention?

The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments was adopted on 13 February 2004 and entered into force on 8 September 2017. It addresses the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms through ships’ ballast water and sediments.

Ships within its scope need the applicable ballast water management plan, records and certification. The phased transition was linked to vessel construction dates and IOPP renewal surveys. That transition extended to 8 September 2024; its old dates should not be treated as future installation deadlines. Confirm the vessel’s obligations with its flag administration and recognized organization. See IMO’s implementation overview.

Historical installation timetable

• New ships with keels laid on or after 8 September 2017 were addressed at delivery.
• For existing ships with an IOPP renewal completed between 8 September 2014 and 7 September 2017, the transition date was the first renewal after 8 September 2017.
• Other existing ships were linked to the second renewal after that date or a renewal on or after 8 September 2019, whichever came first.
• The transition endpoint was 8 September 2024 for relevant existing ships not subject to IOPP certification.

The requirements also covered certification for ships of 400 gross tonnage and above, Vietnam Register document 4281/ĐKVN-QP dated 16 September 2016 and Technical Notice 033TI/16TB dated 20 September 2016. Applicability and exemptions require vessel-specific review.

Ballast water exchange context

Regulation B-4 specifies exchange locations: normally at least 200 nautical miles from the nearest land in water at least 200 metres deep; where that is not possible, at least 50 nautical miles and 200 metres deep, or a designated area under the relevant authority. This historical exchange guidance does not by itself establish compliance with the applicable discharge standard.

Supply and installation process

1. Select a technically and financially suitable system.
2. Review engine-room arrangements, piping drawings and vessel documentation.
3. Survey the vessel and prepare a 3D arrangement.
4. Develop the project cost estimate.
5. Prepare drawings and documents for owner review and class approval.
6. Arrange materials, equipment and installation technology.
7. Install the treatment system and associated equipment.
8. Inspect, commission and complete the required trials.

Planning the schedule

The project proposal estimated approximately 20–26 weeks overall, including 20–22 weeks of preparation and 4–6 weeks of installation and handover, with 4–6 weeks of vessel downtime. These stage estimates are not directly additive and require clarification in a project-specific programme. Procurement, approvals, yard availability and the vessel’s condition determine the actual schedule.

TLC–BWM system configuration

Thao Linh Maritime Technology Development Co., Ltd. manufactured the system, with ITVC as a first-tier distributor. The system had Vietnam Register type approval. Current commercial authorization, certificate validity, model scope and suitability must be confirmed for the proposed installation.

Self-cleaning filtration

The filter includes automatic cleaning triggered by fouling and by scheduled intervals.

UV treatment

The UV reactor design uses modelling of UV intensity distribution and includes automatic cleaning arrangements. Performance depends on the approved operating envelope and water conditions.

Control and monitoring

The described system operates automatically through an HMI touch screen. Operating parameters, modes and status are recorded; the system provided storage for more than 24 months with reference to MEPC.174(58), the earlier G8 guidance.

Operating modes

• Ballasting: incoming water passes through filtration and UV treatment.
• Deballasting: discharged ballast water passes through UV treatment again. Compliance depends on validated system performance; treatment should not be described as a universal guarantee of complete sterilization.
• System cleaning: the system design used suitable clean water to clean the filter and UV components. Cleaning and discharge must follow the approved operating manual and applicable restrictions.

Equipment illustrations

Discuss a vessel project

Send the vessel particulars, trading requirements, ballast pump capacity, drawings and intended docking schedule so that ITVC can review the installation scope and confirm the available equipment and approvals.