The overall objective of this research project is the development of a marketable ballast water treatment system to meet the ballast water discharge standard as set forth in the Ballast Water Management Convention of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN body which deals with shipping issues.

The Bremen Ballast Water Treatment Project is structured in three phases. For details on all project phases, please click on hyperlinks. For further information please do not hesitate to contact Henning von Wedel, Motorenwerke Bremerhaven AG at

Henning.vonWedel@mwb-bremerhaven.de

or Oliver Kerschek, Institute for Environmental Protection and Safety in Shipping GmbH, Bremen at

Oliver.Kerschek@gauss.org

Unlike in other projekts, the Bremen Ballastwater Treatment Project tests and evaluates different technologies and their reasonable and commercially feasible combinations. No proprietary technology is simply "adapted" or "upscaled". The teatment system under development is multi-stage system. We are currently conducting tests to evaluate which methods are the most efficient. The shore-based test facility is located in Bremerhaven, and estuarine port at the mouth of the Weser River. The results of the performance tests will provide an indication on favourable technologies. At this point of   time we cannot make a definite statement as to what methods our treatment plant will incorporate. However, it is most likely  that filtration and UV-radiation will be major components of our treatement system. In addition we currently test the applicability of electro-chemical, chemical, ultrasonic and heat treatment as well as pressure changes.

The water is treated in line during intake with a minimum flow rate of 50 cubic meters per hour.

All sampling, handling, replication and sample analysis is done by our 4 staff marine biologists in cooperation with the Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), located here in Bremerhaven.

The expected result will be a comprehensive and cost efficient high quality ballast water treatment system which meets the ballast water discharge standards as provided in the Ballast Water Management Convention of the International Maritime Orgsanization (IMO) thereby also meeting the needs of potential customers.