Optimarin Ballast System

The overall vision of the OBS project is to commercialise and bring to market our two new filter systems for global maritime Ballast Water Treatment. Our patented OBS system is based on filtration as pre-treatment and high doses of UV irradiation for inactivation of marine organisms, viruses and bacteria, without affecting the normal operation of the ship. Ballast water is UV treated both during ballasting and de-ballasting to ensure the dual UV effect. Ballast water is only filtered during ballasting. The OBS is one of very few treatment options that does not use or generate chemicals or biocides in its treatment or cleaning processes. It is based on the idea that such systems should be environmentally sound, simple, flexible and easy to install, and capable of operating on both new-builds and existing vessels. Our overall OBS technology has been developed since 1994 and was IMO approved in 2009 (International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship's Ballast Water and Sediments (G8)). During the last two years we have worked on the development of two improved filters that now are ready for large scale pilots and tests according to the United States Coast Guard legislation (USCG) - opening up for the international market ? enabling Optimarin to be the first USCG approved company worldwide. Our current filter prototype and 'Phase 1-type Feasibility Study' have been funded by Innovation Norway and the IFU instrument, advancing our prototype technology to TRL7. The aim of the OBS project is to move our current prototype technology to full commercialisation onto the global markets. To increase our commercial success and impact, we have created a Strategic Business Plan as a detailed roadmap, describing all necessary activities we need to undertake to ensure a successful market introduction. Now we seek to develop our Commercialisation Plan, which will form an important part of the final Business Innovation Plan, to be created in this Phase II project.