BALLAST WATER TREATMENT

Houlder is working with A&P Group towards the installation of Ballast Water Treatment equipment on RFA Argus RFA Argus serves as a Primary Casualty Receiving Ship maintaining a 100-bed medical complex aboard. A&P Falmouth has asked Houlder to provide technical guidance during the retro-fit of its Ballast Water Treatment System. While ballast water is essential for safe and efficient operation of any ship, it may pose serious ecological, economic and health problems due to the possible transfer of bacteria, microbes, small invertebrates, eggs, cysts and larvae of various species. To help, Houlder has proven expertise in the installation of appropriate treatment equipment. Importantly, it is able to provide this independently of a particular supplier or system. Jonathan Strachan, Project Director commented “We are delighted to be working with A&P Falmouth ensuring that such an important vessel has the best possible environmental credentials.” The engineering work includes an initial survey, the identification of hazards and creation of a risk register, development of a procurement specification for major and long lead items and an installation specification including definition of new pipework, shipping routes and removal drawings. The required outputs are; The positioning of the Ballast Water Treatment system The support frame for the system skid Integration of two new ballast water treatment pumps with seating arrangements Design of new seawater pumps, valves, piping and connections Electrical and compressed air supply Houlder will supply A&P Falmouth with a project risk register, a procurement specification and guidance document and an installation specification and guidance document that includes definition of new pipes and connections, shipping routes and removal drawings. Other calculations and drawings include skid and new pump seatings, piping schematics, electrical connections and routing and required switchboard modifications. Ballast Water Treatment is growing in importance due to the IMO International Convention for ballast water and sediment control and management. Houlder is well placed to provide independent technical guidance regarding its implementation across the marine industry.