ERMA FIRST becomes the first full flow electrolysis BWTS vendor worldwide that received the USCG Type Approval on Wednesday the 18th of October 2017. The USCG Type Approved ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT is the ideal solution for vessels that operate in United States waters and worldwide.
Following a long testing regime, ERMA FIRST has successfully concluded its tests for the USCG Type Approval end of 2016. The superiority and the mature technology of ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT were endorsed with the application for the USCG Type Approval in May 2017. As of October 2017, ERMA FIRST is delighted to announce that ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT has obtained the USCG Type Approval certificate, becoming the most suitable solution for Ballast Water Treatment.
“With the Convention ratified and entered into force last September and the USCG BWM implementation in place, the installation of a Ballast Water Treatment System is essential for the protection of the marine environment from invasive species.
ERMA FIRST proves its leading position in the Ballast Water Treatment Industry both in the New Building and retrofit markets and its capability to undertake and successfully complete challenging projects such as obtaining the Type Approval by the USCG” claims Konstantinos Stampedakis, Managing Director of ERMA FIRST, while Ms. Helen Polychronopoulou, Business Development Manager of ERMA FIRST, continued “These milestones make our clients as well as our team proud, as they prove the efficient operation and high quality of our systems. The units used during the USCG Type Approval process have remained identical since we started. Moreover, no modifications were made to the units already delivered to clients nor will be made to those to follow”.
Throughout the USCG Type Approval process, ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT performed perfectly in a variety of challenging marine environments, in three different water salinities. The system has been carefully designed, developed and engineered so as to undergo the most rigorous testing and ensure reliable operation in challenging natural water conditions.
“After a long and continuous period of working on the USCG program, we are thrilled to have managed to fit for purpose. This time our “purpose” was the compliance with the USCG rules. In our core business model, environmental compliance is the key point to any sustainable marine/ocean activity.
ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT is the first full flow electrolysis BWTS to obtain USCG Type Approval and comply with the latest regulations worldwide.” says Dr. Efi Tsolaki, Chief Scientific Officer at Research & Development Dpt. of ERMA FIRST.
ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT is an advanced modular system developed to exceed all special installation requirements either for New Building vessels or any retrofit projects. Covering an extensive capacity range of 50-3740 m3/hr, ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT is a simple solution suitable for all types and sizes of vessels. The major components of the system are a high-end backwash filter and an electrolytic cell with outstanding performance under the most demanding conditions. The self-cleaning automatic screen filter has a nominal filtration rate of 40 microns. For the de-ballasting of the vessel there is no need to use the system; It is completely by-passed and the water can be discharged directly overboard, after neutralization where applicable, with considerable gains in energy saving for the operators/managers of the vessel. Using an active substance that is produced by the method of electrolysis, any danger for re-growth of microorganisms is eliminated.
ERMA FIRST’s design simplicity and expertise on delivering challenging projects, has been well acknowledged by many ship-owners and operators who have already trusted the company with their newbuilds and retrofit installations. Nowadays, ERMA FIRST has a prestigious reference list comprised of ship-owners and shipyards worldwide such as in Greece, China, Italy, Turkey, Romania, Japan, Korea, US, Denmark, UK, Germany.