A number of ship-owners have already decided to proceed with the actions required for the future installation of BWTS. In that respect, ARGO NAVIS Ltd. is dynamically present in the market offering a range of services:
• Techno-economic studies providing technical and commercial comparison of various systems existing in the market
• 3D laser scanning that ensures imprinting of the available spaces for possible BWTS installation
• Feasibility studies resulting in 3D modelling of pre-selected systems and their possible arrangement in candidate locations
• Engineering studies for the one, selected system
So far, eleven techno-economic studies have been carried out evaluating five to twenty-five systems, depending on the Client’s preferences.
3D laser scanning has been performed on board fifty vessels. Among them, 31 are tankers, 8 bulk carriers, 6 container carriers, 2 LPG carriers, 2 LNG carriers and 1 Ro-Ro vessel.
Feasibility studies for twenty-three vessels have been completed, while four are in progress.
As for engineering studies, out of four, one has already been materialized onboard a container carrier.
Nevertheless, the number of ship owners proceeding with the preparation for the system selection and planning of BWTS retrofitting projects is so low that creates reasonable fears on the congestion which will most probably occur especially during the forthcoming year on the basis of the IMO Convention estimated EIF and compliance dates as well as the BWTS’s type approvals by USCG, expected to be granted in the beginning of next year.
The involved in the retrofitting projects parties’ resources (know-how, experienced personnel) are being kept scarcely sufficient to satisfy the market’s present needs due to the lack of BWTS orders / sales and the consequent financing of the involved parties’ development of expertise and capacity.
On the basis of the above, which is presently recognized by most of the industry’s technical experts, it is expected that the number of ship owners who will commence their preparation will significantly increase during the second half of this year.
