Over the past five (5) years we’ve all witnessed the buildup surrounding Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS) which influenced dry-dockings and created a competitive market for innovative systems. GBSL continues to strengthen its capabilities when it comes to BWTS installations, thus completing projects on or before time.

As the BWTS regulation becomes mandatory, ship owners and managers worldwide are continuously seeking systems that are most suitable for their vessels. These systems are usually installed during a vessel’s routine dry-dock period. Although many of the current systems are new, it is important to find avenues to safely and efficiently reduce the vessel’s stay within the yard. To support the client’s full refit project GBSL would prefabricate, all spool pipes, pipe support brackets, BWTS machinery foundations as well as all catwalks and walkways prior to vessel’s arrival. The yard would also preassemble suction and discharge pipe spools on the BWTS units prior to installation onboard. This significantly reduces the required project duration and allows both yard and client to focus on other critical repair items. Between January and October 2020, GBSL had the opportunity to install ten (10) BWTS on various vessels including, chemical tankers, tugs, barges and general cargo vessels. GBSL has three (3) confirmed BWTS installations for the remainder of 2020.

VP of Commercial at GBSL, Mr. Ash Sinha expressed his views on the ongoing demand for BWTS installations in the region,

We have led the market when it comes to Ballast water treatment systems installation and given our track record of completing some of the most complex projects in record time we remain the yard of choice when it comes to BWTS installation in the Caribbean region and on the US East coast.

The global pandemic is an ongoing disruption to business operations worldwide. GBSL implemented additional strict safety protocols which allowed the yard to operate throughout the outbreak. The yard is looking forward to a busy and successful 4th quarter.