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Ballast water equipment maker Erma First expands its portfolio and brings “the world\u2019s smallest” ballast water treatment system to the international market through its acquisition of US firm oneTANK LLC.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n oneTANK, a subsidiary of Glosten, developed a small scale innovative, low-cost, IMO Revised G8 Code and United States Coast Guard compliant system. Based on a patented mixing technology developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, the system can be installed in larger vessels\u2019 aftpeak tanks. It is also suitable for use aboard workboats, tugboats, semi-submersibles, fishing vessels and superyachts. The technology is already being adopted on ships in aftpeak tanks within Overseas Shipholding Group\u2019s tanker fleet and on the dredger MV Charlock in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Erma First has seen significant success with its electro-chlorination systems for larger vessels and is now expanding its portfolio to provide a wider variety of onboard solutions to a larger market than ever before. The move follows its recent acquisition of German water treatment specialist RWO GmbH in May 2021 and METIS Cyberspace Technology in 2019.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n one Tank front view. Image courtesy one Tank\/Erma First<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis is a game-changing ballast water treatment technology. It is compact, simple-to-use, and fully automated. It delivers a quick to install additional solution for small ballast tanks on big ships as well as a stand-alone solution for small vessels such as yachts, tugs and offshore support vessels,” said Konstantinos Stampedakis, MD,\u00a0<\/span>Erma First.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n oneTANK treats ballast water within the vessel\u2019s ballast tank and has no filters, ultra-violet lamps or electrolytic chlorine generators. Its footprint is only 600mm x 600mm, half the size of its nearest competitor. Its power consumption is similar to that of a household washing machine. With low-running costs and fully regulatory compliance, oneTANK provides a ballast water management solution which works in all water qualities and salinities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The system uses an 8.25% or 12.5% sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and 30% sodium thiosulfate solution \u2013 readily available chemicals that can be purchased from suppliers worldwide. Application is practical for smaller vessels as a 20-litre container of 12.5% bleach will treat approximately 288 cubic meters of ballast water. \u00a0For larger vessels, oneTANK can treat tanks as large as 4,000 cubic meters. <\/p>\n Watch oneTANK Managing Director Kevin Reynolds discuss the system in a previous interview with Maritime Reporter TV:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Seawater is automatically treated by applying and mixing the bulk chemicals in-tank, allowing users to treat on their own schedules, avoiding busy in-port times.<\/p>\n