Hyundai Heavy Delivers VLCC with Electrolysis Ballast Water Treatment System

Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's No.1 shipbuilder, today handed over a 317,000DWTVLCC (Very Large Crude Oil Carrier) to Oman Shipping Company (OSC).  The ship, measuring 333 meters in length, 60 meters in height and 30.4 meters in depth, is thefirst VLCC with the new electrolysis ballast water treatment system that can treat as much as100,000 ton ballast water.  Ballast water is sea water used to stabilize hull balance when unloading cargo, and to maintainoptimal vessel speed. The seawater can contain bacteria, local plankton, mud and sand fromthe unloading port where the ballast water has been taken in. As the ballast water is released, itmight impact and disturb the marine ecosystem.  To handle this problem, IMO (International Maritime Organization) mandates that all new shipsto be delivered from 2012 and all ships operating on the seas from 2017 must have ballastwater treatment system installed. Driven by international regulations, the market for ballastwater treatment system is predicted to grow to over $30 billion.  Beside this eco-friendly ballast water treatment system, Hyundai Heavy has also taken the leadin developing green marine technologies such as  high output eco-friendly marine engines, a 3,000 ton hybrid petrol vessel, and ballast water treatment systems consisting of a filter and UVsterilizing system.
Source: Press Release