Alfa Laval Wins Prestigious Green4Sea Technology Award for Ballast Water Treatment System

At the awards ceremony on 6 March, Alfa Laval PureBallast was announced the winner of the 2018 Green4Sea Technology Award.

Established in 2016, the Green4Sea Awards are presented each year in conjunction with the Green4Sea Conference. The conference gathers key decision makers from the shipping industry to outline sustainable strategies and environmental best practice with regard to ballast water management, air emissions, fuel options and energy efficiency.

Peter Sahlen, R&D Manager for Alfa Laval PureBallast, was a keynote speaker at the 2018 Green4Sea Conference and was on hand at the Yacht Club of Greece to accept the Green4Sea Technology Award on 6 March.

“We are extremely proud to receive this year’s Green4Sea Technology Award for Alfa Laval PureBallast,” says Sahlen. “The award affirms Alfa Laval’s long-standing commitment to ballast water treatment, but also highlights the past year’s major achievements with PureBallast 3, the third generation of our ballast water treatment technology.”

More than a decade of leadership

The Green4Sea Technology Award specifically recognizes technological achievement, breakthrough or significant contribution to the maritime environment. PureBallast has been setting the bar since 2006, when it became the world’s first commercially available ballast water treatment system. Today over 1700 PureBallast systems have been sold, including 600 systems for retrofit projects.

PureBallast 3, the current generation of the technology, continues to lead the way in both performance and preparedness. Proven to comply in the most challenging water conditions, including frigid or muddy waters, it was among the first solutions to be type approved by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). In February of this year, it became the very first solution to receive IMO type approval according to the revised MEPC.279(70) [2016 G8] requirements.

“A ballast water treatment system is a major investment that needs to perform over the entire vessel lifetime,” says Sahlen. “Customers require robust technology and future-proof solutions, which is why Alfa Laval has prioritized both USCG and revised G8 demands when it comes to PureBallast 3.”

A complete solution for peace of mind

Sahlen also points out that success in ballast water treatment depends on more than the treatment technology itself. Practical concerns, from enabling simpler retrofits to providing ongoing service, are equally important. Even in these areas, PureBallast 3 is at the forefront.

“With the recent launch of PureBallast 3 Compact Flex, we packed the technology into the smallest footprint on the market, creating a truly retrofit-friendly package with plug-and-play components,” Sahlen says. “In addition, we’ve invested heavily in our already extensive global network, making sure that we have the services and personnel in place to secure customers’ peace of mind.”

“The Green4Sea Technology Award reflects not just PureBallast, but also the total offering and expertise Alfa Laval has built up around it,” Sahlen concludes.