Namdock, on the west coast of Africa in Walvis Bay, Namibia, say they are leading the area in the provision of ballast water treatment system installation services.
Claus Zeilinger, Assistant Technical Superintendent of Carpentry and Electrical at Namdock says:“We have led the ship repair market on the West coast of Africa in the installation of ballast water treatment systems since last year, when we obtained certification to install Bio Sea ballast water treatment systems on board our clients’ vessels.
“We have also recently completed the complex installation of an ESMA ballast water treatment system in a heavy fuel tanker which docked in Walvis Bay. This was a major and very interesting project, which saw an inter-disciplinary team of fifty people working around the clock to pull off the project. This was successfully completed in just three weeks”.
The installation of ballast water treatment systems is part of Namdock’s integrated ship repair offering: “We perform the full spectrum of ship repairs, from metal work and fabrication – which involves physical plate installations – to piping and electrical installation. Our integrated vessel repair disciplines, capabilities and functions therefore go hand-in-hand with the installation of ballast water treatment systems,” Zeilinger explains.
At this stage, Namdock undertakes work on the piping, valves and electrical installation of the ballast water treatment system. Their certified installation team commissions the system, and then trains the client’s staff on board the vessel in the operation thereof.
Zeilinger and two of his team members completed training in the installation and commissioning of the Bio Sea system in France last year: “One of the main benefits of this system is that it treats the ballast water through ultra-violet (UV) radiation. It is therefore completely safe to use, contains no harmful chemicals and the installation is simple. These factors make it one of the best systems to use worldwide. We are likely to see a growing number of vessels calling at the port and docking with Namdock for the installation of ballast water treatment systems as we move closer to the 2024 deadline”.
Namdock’s services relating to ballast water treatment systems will also benefit the local Namibian maritime environment, as the ballast water deposited by vessels docking at the port will not contain foreign viruses or bacteria which could harm the country’s beautiful beaches and coastline.
Growing demand
While the installation of ballast water treatment systems is a fairly recent service offered by Namdock, it is growing steadily. In line with this the project growth trajectory, the company is currently busy with the installation of another two Bio Sea systems, and also stocks equipment spares for the system, if required.
“The Namdock installation team is also ready to install the Bio Sea systems at ports in our neighbouring sub-Saharan African countries – such as in South Africa. We are looking to supply technical expertise and support relating to the systems wherever our clients’ vessels are situated,” says Zeilinger.
“Namdock has a competitive advantage in supplying services pertaining to ballast water treatment systems, as we took the initiative to introduce this installation service in the region. “We are set to become the preferred ballast water treatment system installers within in the next two years. Our main aim with the introduction of this service offering is to assist our valued maritime clients in meeting the international maritime compliance requirements in this regard; and also to provide them with the reliable service, quality and excellence they have come to associate with Namdock over the years,” Zeilinger concludes.