Optimarin wins ‘potentially huge’ fleet agreement with Carisbrooke

Optimarin has signed a fleet agreement with UK shipowner and management company, Carisbrooke, for its market leading Optimarin Ballast System (OBS). The agreement has the potential to be the ballast water treatment (BWT) specialist’s largest ever. The deal has the potential to encompass OBS retrofits on the firm’s entire fleet of 46 bulk and multipurpose vessels.

“This is huge development for us,” commented Optimarin CEO, Tore Andersen, “agreed with an established and respected shipowner, operator and manager. Our retrofit expertise was absolutely key here, as was the reliability, flexibility and market proven success of our UV-based technology. We’ve been 100% focused on ballast water treatment since our formation in 1994 and, with the ratification of the IMO’s Ballast Water Convention now imminent, forward-thinking shipowners who appreciate this unparalleled expertise are signing up for fleet agreements. Carisbrooke were quick to see the advantages of doing so, and we’re delighted to add a name of their calibre to our growing client list.”

Optimarin’s upcoming USCG approval, on schedule for later this year, played a decisive part in securing the deal, with a number of Carisbrooke vessels trading in US waters. This certification, in conjunction with the IMO ratification, is proving to be an important factor in accelerating OBS sales, with recent orders confirmed with Atlantis Tankers (ten units) and Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group (nine).

“It’s a good time for the business,” Andersen confirmed. “2016 has gotten off to a great start and, with further discussions on-going, we’re sure they’ll be further significant orders to announce in the coming months.”

Carisbrooke is now assessing its fleet with the prospect of commencing installations in 2017.

Martin Henry, Fleet Technical Director, Carisbrooke, commented: “There were multiple factors at play. USCG compliance is critical for our trading routes, as is the operational and supply chain reliability of the technology itself. However, people are also key. Optimarin are clever, experienced and have focused exclusively on this sector for many years. Their expertise, and the modular nature of the system, will be essential when it comes to retrofitting vessels with small engine rooms and very limited available space.”

Henry concluded: “We believe this to be an excellent UV system, at a very competitive price, from a supplier with a genuine maritime heritage and understanding. This gives us complete peace of mind for future regulatory compliance, technical dependability and, importantly for Carisbrooke, environmentally responsible operations.”

Edited from press release by Angharad Lock

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/offshore-and-subsea/15032016/optimarin-receives-fleet-agreement-with-carisbrooke-2762/