Ecochlor, Inc. was ranked first by the North American Marine Environment Protection Association’s (NAMEPA) Board of Directors for the “2021 Marine Environment Protection Innovation Award” based on their new no-filter EcoOne and EcoOne Hybrid ballast water management system (BWMS). Andrew Marshall, CEO will accept the award today on behalf of Ecochlor at the NAMEPA Annual General Meeting.
Followed by the Awards Presentation, Mr. Marshall has been asked to speak on a prestigious Leadership Roundtable panel for further discussions on marine environmental protection.
Ecochlor has honored a commitment to saving the coastal ecosystems for over 20 years. As a base to measure discharged ballast water treated by an Ecochlor BWMS worldwide, EcochlorBlue BWT™ chemical re-supply orders were evaluated. Over the last 18 months, more than 15.8 billion gallons of water was treated and released back into the ocean without any disruption of the waterway’s ecosystem.
Ecochlor, Inc. announced that the Company’s Board of Directors (BOD) has appointed Andrew Marshall as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will assume day-to-day leadership of the Company as of today.
Steve Candito will continue to support the company as a senior advisor to the Ecochlor BOD and leadership team. Mr. Candito expressed his confidence in the appointment of Andrew Marshall in a released statement: “When Andrew joined Ecochlor in 2019 as Vice President of Business Development he started the process of reshaping our international sales team as well as assisting in transforming the core of our business and growth strategy into the success that it is today! He was instrumental in expanding our product line into both tank cleaning via a novel gas-freeing technology, and small capacity ballast water management systems (BWMS) using UV technology whilst also leading the EcoOne™ Type Approval Task Force. His track record and depth of experience in the maritime business make him an ideal leader for Ecochlor at this time and into the future as we continue to leverage and build the Company to next level.”
Mr. Marshal has more than 30 years of experience in developing and launching emerging technologies. He is a seasoned executive with a proven track record in international business development. Prior to Ecochlor, Mr. Marshall served as the owner of Marshall Global Consulting, Ltd., the CEO of Coldharbour Marine and the COO of Spectral Fusion Technologies.
As CEO, Mr. Marshall will be the primary intermediary between the company and the BOD. He will be responsible for communicating on behalf of the Company, with shareholders and potential investors in addition to implementing a high-level corporate strategy in line with the organization’s vision and mission.
“I am honored for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization of highly-dedicated and talented professionals,” said Mr. Marshall. Under Steve’s [Candito] guidance, the Company has grown from a startup to a leading BWMS company and we have made meaningful progress toward realizing our top company priorities and goals. During his tenure, we have made significant advancement in the improvement of our operating efficiencies, strengthen our market penetration and brand, as well as increasing our service and chemical resupply locations across the globe. I am fortunate to be able to continue to build on the foundation that he has built along with the rest of the Ecochlor team.”
The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) has chosen Ecochlor, Inc. as the recipient of the “2021 Marine Environmental Innovation” award based on their new no-filter EcoOne™ and EcoOne Hybrid™ ballast water management systems (BWMSs).
The Ecochlor EcoOne™ filterless and hybrid systems have the same, powerful, core treatment technology as the standard Ecochlor® BWMS, but they operate with less equipment and need less maintenance – providing an even longer life-cycle for the system. Less equipment means a reduction in Ecochlor’s environmental footprint, both in component manufacturing and shipping, as well as during system installation with as much as 40% savings in piping and 30 to 50% savings for cabling.
“Key benefits of the EcoOne™ BWMS are the low energy consumption due to both the core technology not using power to create the disinfectant and the elimination of the filter, which also makes the system even more reliable and easier to use,” said Steve Candito, Ecochlor CEO.
“Additionally, EcoOne™ has the capability to take advantage of gravity ballasting on intake and discharge, offering even further energy savings. With the lowest BWMS power consumption in the industry, EcoOne™ not only eliminates the spread of invasive species, but also reduces Green House Gas (GHG) emissions as compared to competing BWMSs. The EcoOne™ system supports our vessel owner client’s carbon neutrality goals and is considered a perfect match for future Zero-Emissions-Vessels which (at least in ports) could operate on battery power alone.”
“We are so proud of the work that our recipients are doing and the incredible things they have accomplished,” stated Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of NAMEPA. “It is NAMEPA’s mission to provide a forum for this discussion and an honor to highlight their efforts, along with community partners who share our values to “Save our Seas”.
Ecochlor has filed an application for the EcoOne™ Filterless and EcoOne Hybrid™ ballast water management systems (BWMS) with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for Type Approval. “This application is an amendment to Ecochlor’s existing BWMS Type Approval; it is our expectation that the EcoOne™ and EcoOne Hybrid™ will receive USCG type approval certification by the end of 2021,” said Steve Candito, CEO.
“Receiving IMO Type Approval and filing the application for USCG Type Approval is a significant milestone for us as it offers the assurance to shipowners that the EcoOne™ and EcoOne Hybrid™ BWMS have successfully passed the most recent, more stringent standards in efficacy in accordance with the USCG, Standards for Living organisms in Ship’s Ballast Discharged Waters, Final Rule (Final Rule). Additionally, we completed whole effluent toxicity tests in accordance with USCG Final Rule,” said Pete Thompson, VP of Operations. Type Approval applications have also been submitted to Class Societies LR, KR, BV, ABS as well as the French and Hellenic Flag Administration.
The Ecochlor® BWM systems often exceed class society and industry standards and are ‘fit for purpose’ all the way down to the component level. Each of the systems rely on the same powerful, core ClO2 technology, which has distinct advantages over other disinfection techniques. It is effective on all aquatic organisms, can operate anywhere in the world and does not require retreatment or neutralization at discharge.
“The benefits of EcoOne™ BWMS and EcoOne Hybrid™ BWMS to the shipowner are immense since issues with filters can be severe, especially in very turbid, challenging waters,” commented Steve Candito. “The EcoOne™ BWMS offers fewer operational obstacles and less maintenance with even lower power needs. There are no TRO sensors which can interrupt ballasting and de-ballasting operations, and no electrodes or complex power supplies. The new systems also offer owners the options of gravity ballasting and deballasting.”
The filterless EcoOne™ BWMS can operate anywhere in marine and brackish waters (≥1PSU) with no restrictions on temperature or turbidity. The EcoOne Hybrid™ BWMS (in filter mode of operation) has no operational limitations with temperature, turbidity or salinity and allows operation with filter or no-filter. This feature ensures that shipowners have the flexibility of unrestricted operation globally but with the convenience of a no-filter system.
Andrew Marshall, VP of Business Development, speaks to the eagerness with which shipowners have embraced the EcoOne™ and EcoOne Hybrid™ BWMS entries into the market. He disclosed: “In the first half of 2021, we received a record number of orders from new customers ─ Companhia de Navegação Norsul, JMB Shipping, Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp., and Sirius Shipmanagement, they were looking for the flexibility we offer with our one-stop-fits-all options of BWMSs, along with our superior global servicing capabilities. Additionally, many of our repeat customers ─ Andriaki Shipping Co., Ltd. Anglo Eastern Ship Management, Athenian Sea Carriers Ltd., Bahri Ship Management, Euronav Ship Management, Maersk Tankers, Maran Tankers Mgmt. Inc., Minerva Marine, Inc., and Sonangol Marine Services have also responded enthusiastically with additional orders. These shipowners recognize that we have removed the issues that have long troubled shipowners with their BWMSs by ensuring that our systems are not only easy-to-use for the crew but in compliance every single time they run a ballast operation.”
Ecochlor’s IMO Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) Code Type Approval certification for the EcoOne™ BWMS and EcoOne Hybrid™ BWMS offers shipowners the flexibility to choose the best system for their vessel’s operation.
Ecochlor®, Inc. is pleased to receive IMO BWMS Code Type Approval for its EcoOne™ and EcoOne Hybrid™ BWMSs from the Norwegian Maritime Authority. This certification is an amendment to Ecochlor’s existing BWMS Type Approval and is in accordance with the recent and more stringent standards set by IMO Resolution MEPC.300 (72), Code for Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS Code).
As predicted at the launch, in September 2021 we received IMO BWMS Code Type Approval for these systems and are on track to get USCG Type Approval by the end of the year.
During the certification process, the EcoOne™ BWMS was tested extensively to ensure that it works effectively as a single-step system using chlorine dioxide (ClO2) treatment technology, without a filter and in all operating conditions in brackish and marine waters. DNV was the independent laboratory (IL) and took overall responsibility for the entire process of evaluation, inspection, testing and submission of all type approval applications for the system.
Land-based biological efficacy tests were undertaken by the Golden Bear Research Center (GBRC) in California, USA. The Shipboard tests, undertaken by DHI as sub-laboratory, were completed to test the biological efficacy and related shipboard operational performance of the EcoOne™ BWMS on board commercial vessels. This testing was performed on two vessels owned by Maran Tankers, a VLCC and an Aframax, during their typical voyages.
Pete Thompson, VP of Operations, who spearheaded the R & D of the EcoOne™ BWMS and EcoOne Hybrid™ BWMS noted, “our team is very excited to bring these new and innovative BWMSs to market. We have worked diligently over the last 18 months along with DNV, Maran Tankers, Golden Bear and DHI to test the EcoOne™ BWMS and EcoOne Hybrid™ BWMS to the highest standards possible in compliance with IMO testing requirements and to ensure the operational reliability that is expected from every single Ecochlor system.”
Ecochlor has long been recognized as a leader in the BWM industry with one of the simplest and easiest to use systems available in the market. With this approval, Ecochlor now offers three different BWMS products:
Ecochlor® BWMS (filtration and ClO2): Vessels operating this system can operate anywhere in the world with no restrictions to temperature, salinity or turbidity.
EcoOne™ BWMS (ClO2 alone): Vessels operating this system can operate anywhere in marine and brackish waters (≥1PSU) with no restrictions on temperature or turbidity
EcoOne Hybrid™ BWMS (Dual mode filtration and ClO2 or ClO2 alone): This option allows operation either with or without a filter allowing shipowners the flexibility of unrestricted operation globally but with the convenience of a no-filter system.
Each of these systems relies on the same core ClO2 technology, which offers very distinct advantages over other ballast water disinfection techniques. Andrew Marshall VP of business development explains why ClO2 is particularly well-suited as a filterless BWMS option: “ClO2 technology is not affected by suspended sediments or turbidity. Therefore, filtration is not necessary to remove sediments prior to treatment, unlike UV technology. Additionally, ClO2 technology primarily reacts with living organisms (rather than reacting with all organic matter) and does not require significantly increasing the dose to effectively treat the ballast water. On the other hand, sodium hypochlorite or electro-chlorination-based technologies react with any organic matter living or dead and require a very large increase to the chemical dose to ensure treatment efficacy. This increased dosage requires additional power to produce the higher levels of hypochlorite and therefore, could potentially be hazardous to tank coatings and vessel structures.”
“The EcoOne™ BWMS and EcoOne Hybrid™ BWMS IMO Type Approved systems are of great significance to the industry,” states Steve Candito, CEO. “From the time of our new product announcement in April 2021, shipowners have responded enthusiastically and we have received a record number of orders. Our future plans include our continued commitment to bring advances and cost savings to the market that not only enhance our product lines but improve our already notable service operations.”
DNV was chosen to act as the Independent Lab (IL) throughout the entire process and has been responsible for the evaluation, inspection, testing oversight and submission of the EcoOne™ BWMS Type Approval applications.
The Land-based biological efficacy testing, was undertaken by the Golden Bear Research Center (GBRC) in California, USA. GBRC performed the tests, analyzed samples, and managed test results in the required format by the IL. Whole effluent toxicity testing was also performed successfully as part of the land-based tests.
The Shipboard testing, undertaken by DHI as sub-laboratory, was completed to test biological efficacy and related shipboard operational performance (OP) of the EcoOne™ BWMS on board a commercial vessel. DHI performed the shipboard tests, analyzed samples, managed test results in the required format by the IL. Due to global pandemic restrictions, shipboard testing was allowed to be performed on two commercial vessels owned by Maran Tankers, a VLCC and an Aframax, during their typical vessel voyage routes within the 6-month testing period.
Steve Candito, Ecochlor CEO said, “From our first test in September 2020 to its completion in June 2021, the EcoOne™ system has gone through an extensive review using the most robust and stringent requirements in the maritime industry for BWMSs. Each step of the process – starting with an engineering design that is even simpler and requires even less maintenance than our two-step filtered BWMS ─ has leveraged Ecochlor’s high standards for excellence and reliability into our new product line. We are pleased to have completed these tests on our new filterless BWMS with very impressive results as confirmed by DHI and GBRC.”
The filterless EcoOne™ BWMS is a one-step treatment process utilizing ClO2 alone. Vessels operating this system can operate anywhere in marine and brackish waters (i.e., ≥ 1PSU) and with no restrictions on temperature or turbidity.
The EcoOne™ Hybrid BWMS has a dual mode of operation with both filtration & ClO2 or ClO2 alone. This system will allow shipowners to operate their BWMS either with or without a filter. This option will be suited for shipowners who wish to have the flexibility of unrestricted operation in freshwater globally, with the convenience of a no-filter system. Vessels that already have an Ecochlor BWMS with filters installed can upgrade to the Hybrid option with minimal cost.
The Ecochlor BWMSs not only meet and exceed environmental regulatory standards, these systems have a reputation in the industry as one of the most dependable in the market with a product line that offers one-stop BWMS options to the shipowner for any vessel, on any trading route, in any port, worldwide!
Prioritizing efficiency, reliability and environmental protection, Ecochlor has a ballast water management solution suitable for every ship and trade route. With three types of BWMS available using our patented chlorine dioxide technology, our solutions provide ship owners and operators with peace of mind and ensure regulatory compliance.
New ballast water management systems will need to be subject to ‘biological efficacy tests during commissioning by June 2022, if not before that date. The logistics and planning for this is often overlooked. Ecochlor CEO, Steve Candito identifies a few simple ways the shipowner can significantly reduce the risk of a failed commissioning test.
To read the Tanker Operator article “Coming soon – ballast efficacy tests” to learn some helpful hints on preparing for these future testing requirements click here.
Ecochlor, Inc. was ranked first by the North American Marine Environment Protection Association’s (NAMEPA) Board of Directors for the “2021 Marine Environment Protection Innovation Award” based on their new no-filter EcoOne and EcoOne Hybrid ballast water management system (BWMS). Andrew Marshall, CEO will accept the award today on behalf of Ecochlor at the NAMEPA Annual General Meeting.