There is often a lack of connection between owner and yard when installing bilge water technologies which can lead to increased operating costs.
Viking Supply Ships AS is currently upgrading the bilge water system on several vessel built in 2010-2012. The system was going into re-circulation too often frustrating the crew and causing discharge problems. A ’Clean bilge water tank’ will be installed in addition to settling tanks and a heating system. Niclas Karlsson, Managing Director of Clean Ship Scandinavia assisted Viking Supply AS in assessing their technologies options.
There are several different technologies available for treatment of bilge water and there are big differences in price. For new-buildings the yards are always looking for the lowest price and not to the performance , operational cost or if the separator could handle a chemical emulsion. Many new vessel designs have implemented IBTS, Integrated Bilge water Treatment System, but there is a lack of experience and know-how regarding the set-up.