Obtaining the USCG Type Approval in October 2017, under LR as an Independent Laboratory (IL), made ERMA FIRST the first full flow electrolysis ballast water treatment system (BWTS) vendor worldwide to have achieved such a milestone.

In September 2018, the USCG Certificate was amended with the series of FILTREX filters (alternate filter under the USCG regime) and all models of ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT will have both options of Filters as per current IMO Type Approval.

As with the primary filter FILTERSAFE, the results with the FILTREX configuration were successful and in compliance with USCG requirements. ERMA FIRST has been constantly showing its commitment to the delivery of innovative and high-performance equipment, as assured by LR.

Tested in three water salinities, ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT offers a reliable, simple and effective solution for all types and sizes of vessels. The smooth testing process proves that the system has been carefully designed, developed and engineered to undergo the most rigorous testing and ensure reliable operation in the most challenging natural water conditions.

ERMA FIRST chose to work with LR because of their in-depth technical knowledge and experience with ballast water treatment technologies and trusted assurance services.

Mr. Stampedakis, Managing Director of ERMA FIRST, commented, “Our extensive knowledge and experience enables ERMA FIRST to provide a superior BWTS that fully meets our customers’ needs. In our efforts to give more options to our clients and of course to expand our production capacity for covering the current and future demands, soon an application for a third filter will follow. Alike to the numerous tests performed by ERMA FIRST previously, this filter test proved the necessity of the filtration stage of a ballast water treatment system. Filtration is a necessary treatment stage which ensures environmental compliance despite the water quality and reduces the wear and tear of the essential parts of the system significantly."

Theodosis Stamatellos, LR’s South Europe Marine & Offshore Area Manager, said: “Since LR started working with ERMA FIRST we have acquired an in-depth knowledge of their ballast water treatment system, which was key to this outcome. Despite this being a very demanding process, ERMA FIRST has proved it can meet all the requirements of the exhaustive testing protocol.”