ENGINEERING and manufacturing firm Maritech Ltd has inked a sales and distribution agreement with French water microbiology company aqua-tools to meet 'significant interest' among Greek shipowners for onboard ballast water testing
ENGINEERING and manufacturing firm Maritech Ltd has inked a sales and distribution agreement with French water microbiology company aqua-tools to meet 'significant interest' among Greek shipowners for onboard ballast water testing. The agreement covers the training and supply of aqua-tools' B-QUA test kit.
'Greek shipowners are looking at the use of indicative-based monitoring as a means of assessing the efficiency of their ships' ballast water treatment systems,' said Maritech business development manager Dimitris Nikoleris.
'We have talked to a number of high-profile owners and many are concerned that they could face financial penalties if they are found to be inadvertently operating systems incompatible with the rules or if these systems are under performing. It is difficult to verify the treatment efficiency of these closed loop systems.
'The agreement we have in place with aqua-tools means Greek shipowners can now benefit from a cost-effective solution for evaluating system performance,' added Mr Nikoleris.
Maritech's initial focus will be to target its client base of Greek owners with fleets of 80 ships or more.
aqua-tools' business development manager Carine Magdo said: 'As operators of one of the world's largest fleets, Greek shipowners could potentially provide the ballast water treatment and monitoring sector with its largest market.
'They could also provide a good income stream for port state control authorities if they cannot verify these systems are operating in line with the rules. The onboard use of our B-QUA system delivers the evidence owners and manufacturers need to ensure their systems are doing the job intended,' she added.
