<°))))>< 

Dr. Stephan Gollasch (GoConsult) 

Grosse Brunnenstr. 61 

22763 Hamburg 

Germany 

phone: +49 40 390 546 0 

email: sgollasch@aol.com 

Final Report 

Shipboard Tests of the 

Ecochlor 

Ballast Water Treatment System 

for Type Approval according to Regulation D-2 

and the relevant IMO Guideline (G8) 
Final report of the shipboard tests of the 

Ecochlor®

Ballast Water Treatment System 

for Type Approval according to Regulation D-2 

and the relevant IMO Guideline (G8) 

(July 2010 – February 2011)

Shipboard tests onboard MV Moku Pahu

<°))))>< 

S. Gollasch 

15-03-2011 
Final report of the shipboard tests of the Ecochlor ballast water treatment system 

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Table of Content 

1. Introduction............................................................................................................... 4

2. Sampling scenario.................................................................................................... 7 

3. Results ..................................................................................................................... 8 

4. Discussion of the results......................................................................................... 12 

5. Test validity ............................................................................................................ 12 

References .................................................................................................................... 13 

Appendix 1 Statement regarding Shipboard Tests ........................................................ 14 
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1. Introduction 

The three shipboard test cycles to test the performance of the Ecochlor® ballast water 

treatment system, developed by Ecochlor, Maynard, MA, USA were undertaken on three 

voyages of the bulker MV Moku Pahu, operated by Matson Navigation Co, Oakland, 

USA between July 2010 and February 2011. The vessel details and the dimensions of 

both test tanks (the control and treated tanks) are indicated in Table 1. The location of 

the test tanks is shown in Fig. 1. 

Table 1. Main dimensions of the test vessel and tank details. 

Vessel name Moku Pahu 

IMO number 7932202 

Vessel type Bulk carrier 

Length overall 208.97 m 

Gross Tonnage International 22,757 t 

Total ballast water capacity 18,457 m3 

Number of ballast tanks 12 

Number of ballast pumps 2 

Capacity of ballast pump 410 t/h 

Number of ballast water 

treatment systems installed 

Model Number 

1 

Series 75 

Treatment capacity of Series 

75 ballast water treatment 

system 

200-500 m3/h 

Treatment capacity for this 

vessel 

410 t/h 

Control tank Forepeak 

Control tank capacity 953 m3 

Treated tank Tanks 4 DB (double bottom) and 5 

Treated tank capacity Tanks 5 = 3,262 m3, Tanks 4DB = 525 m3 

The test ship operates on a global spot charter market and also has voyages between 

Hawaii and the US west coast (San Francisco Bay area) multiple times per year. 

The Series 75 Ecochlor ballast water treatment system has a capacity to treat up to 500 

m3

/h, and treatment is always matched to the flow rate of the ships’ pumps (410 m3/h in 

this case). The treatment system was installed in 2005, and is fully implemented and 

integrated into the ballast system of the vessel. From the time period of 2005 to 2008 

the treatment system was operated for research and development purposes, but has 

been operated for all normal ballasting operations since the 1st quarter of 2009 under the 

United States Coast Guard STEP program. 
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During the G8 test cycles both ballast water tanks, the control tank and the treated tank, 

were filled and emptied in sequence. All test cycles were undertaken by emptying and 

filling the tanks as much as possible. 

Figure 1 Tank plan of the test vessel Moku Pahu. The tanks 4 DB and 5 were used 

during the treated water experiments and the forepeak was used for the control 

experiments. 
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All samples were taken during the entire ballast water uptake and discharge time. This 

approach most likely resulted in a more accurate organism density measurement 

compared to just taking sub-samples during parts of the ballast water pumping operation 

(e.g. in the beginning, middle and end of the pumping time). 

The ballast water was taken up in the following regions: 

• Test cycle 1, C&H Sugar Terminal, Crockett, USA; 

• Test cycle 2, C&H Sugar Terminal, Crockett, USA; 

• Test cycle 3, BAE Terminal, San Francisco, USA. 

The holding time of the ballast water in the tank between uptake and discharge was 

between ca. 26.5 hours (during test cycles one and two) and 39.5 hours (during test 

cycle three (Fig. 2)). 

Figure 2. Approximate in-tank holding time of the ballast water between uptake and 

discharge during all three test cycles. 

During all test cycles all samples were taken by sampling team members of GoConsult, 

Hamburg, Germany. 
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2. Sampling scenario 

During each test cycle samples were collected by using multiple HydroBios ballast water 

sampling kits in parallel and the samples were processed onboard as much as possible 

and as outlined in the onboard sampling protocol (Gollasch 2009). Plankton organisms 

larger than 50 micron in minimum dimension were analysed onboard directly after 

sampling. E. coli and Enterococci samples were prepared for incubation onboard directly 

after sampling and the incubation time was completed on land. Cholera bacteriae 

samples were prepared onboard for later analysis by IBEN, Bremerhaven, Germany. 

The samples for plankton above 10 micron and below 50 micron in minimum dimension 

and the phytoplankton below 10 micron in minimum dimension were analysed by NIOZ, 

Texel, The Netherlands. Procedures were followed according to the test protocol 

(Gollasch 2009) which was prepared in line with the most up-to-date version of the IMO 

Guideline G8 Guidelines for the Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems (IMO 

G8 2008). 

The required number of samples and their volumes for one test cycle according to G8 

are given in Table 2. 

Table 2. Number of samples and their volumes for one test cycle according to G8. 

Sample Treated tank Control tank 

purpose discharge 

(para 2.2.2.6.2 and 

2.2.2.6.3) 

uptake 

(para 2.2.2.6.1, 

2.2.2.6.3 and 

2.2.2.9) 

discharge 

(para 2.2.2.6.1 and 

2.2.2.6.3) 

Environmental 

parameters1

1 sample 

(not required in G8) 

1 sample 1 sample 

(not required in G8) 

>50 μm2 3 x >1000 L 1 x >1000 L 1 x >1000 L 

<50 to >10 μm 3 x >1 L 1 x >1 L 1 x >1 L 

Bacteriae 3 x >500 ml 1 x >500 ml 1 x >500 ml 

(not required in G8) 

The following samples were taken and processed in addition to the requirements of G8: 

• Analysis of environmental parameters of the discharged treated water; 

• Analysis of environmental parameters of the discharged control water; 

• Analysis of bacteriae of the discharged control water; and 

• Analysis of phytoplankton organisms below 10 micron in minimum dimension. 

 

1

 Temperature, salinity, total suspended solids and particulate organic carbon, see G8, Annex, Part 2, paragraph 2.2.2.9 2

 There is an inconsistency and unclear wording in G8 regarding the uptake sample of the treated line. G8, Annex, Part 2, 

paragraph 2.2.2.5 Valid tests are indicated by uptake water, for both the control tank and ballast water to be treated, with viable 

organism concentration... but 2.2.2.6 Sampling regime sets only requirements for the discharge of treated water. To be on the safe 

side samples during uptake of the treated water are therefore taken and processed. 
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3. Results 

The following tables show the results regarding environmental parameters and the 

biological analysis of the samples of all three test cycles. It should be noted that more 

samples as required by G8 were taken and processed during all test cycles (see above). 

Environmental parameters 

The sample processing revealed environmental parameters as expected to occur in the 

ballast water uptake region. Remarkable is the very high TSS content in all samples, 

and especially during test cycles one and two. 

Biological results 

The results show that the Ecochlor® ballast water treatment system complied with the 

standards in Regulation D-2 for all tested organism groups during all tests of the treated 

water upon discharge. 

The minimum intake concentrations of organisms for valid tests according to G8 were 

met in all test cycles (see test cycle reports below). 

During all test cycles for all organism groups, including the phytoplankton organisms 

below 10 micron in minimum dimension, the D-2 standard was met at discharge of the 

treated water. 
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Test Cycle Report, Test Cycle 1 

Date and time for ballast water uptake: 12.07.2010, 10.34 to 11.54 

Position of ship during ballast water uptake: 

• in port at C+H Sugar Terminal, Crockett, USA. 

• Water depth ca. 7 m. 

Date and time for ballast water discharge: 13.07.2010, 21.44 to 14.07.2010, 03.56 

(at BAE Terminal, San Francisco, USA) 

Holding time of treated ballast water between uptake and discharge approximately 27 

hours. 

Table 3. Results of Test Cycle 1. 

Uptake water Discharge water 

Treated aver. Parameter 

 

Unit 

 control IMO contro

l IMO # 1 # 2 # 3 #1-#3 IMO 

Temperature °C 18.5 - 17.2 - 17.8 17.8 17.8 - - 

Salinity PSU 13.8 - 14.9 - 19.7 19.7 19.7 - - 

POC * mg/l 20.4 - 7.8 - 5.2 5.9 5.3 - - 

TSS * mg/l 151.9 - 25.0 - 16.2 16.4 16.3 - - 

Sample vol. >50 μm Litres 1884 >1000 2027 >1000 3086 3090 3102 - >1000 

Sample vol. 50-10 μm Litres 6 >1 6 >1 6 6 6 - >1 

Sample vol. bacteria Litres 1 >0,5 1 - 1 1 1 - >0,5 

Organisms >50μm org./1m3 12757 >90 382 >10 0 0 0 0 <10 

Organisms 10-50 μm* org./1ml 428 >90 120 >10 0 0 0 0 <10 

Organisms ca. 6-7 μm* org./1ml 853 - 6 - 0 0 0 0 - 

Organisms ca. 4 μm* org./1ml 3653 - 17 - 0 0 0 0 - 

Escherichia coli cfu/100ml 10 - 0 - 0 0 0 0 <250 

Intestinal Enterococci cfu/100ml 0 - 0 - 0 0 0 0 <100 

Vibrio cholerae** cfu/100ml 0 - 0 - 0 0 0 0 <1 

* Samples analysed at NIOZ, Texel. ** Samples analysed at IBEN, Bremerhaven. 
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Test Cycle Report, Test Cycle 2 

Date and time for ballast water uptake: 17.12.2010, 14.05 to 15.24 

Position of ship during ballast water uptake: 

• in port at C+H Sugar Terminal, Crockett, USA. 

• Water depth ca. 7 m. 

Date and time for ballast water discharge: 18.12.2010, 13.50 to 19.27 

(at BAE Terminal, San Francisco, USA) 

Holding time of treated ballast water between uptake and discharge approximately 26.5 

hours. 

Table 4. Results of Test Cycle 2. 

Uptake water Discharge water 

Treated aver. Parameter 

 

Unit 

 control IMO contro

l IMO # 1 # 2 # 3 #1-#3 IMO 

Temperature °C 11.4 - 11.7 - 12.0 12.0 12.0 - - 

Salinity PSU 14.2 - 14.6 - 14.7 14.7 14.7 - - 

POC * mg/l 32.4 - 9.6 - 9.0 9.2 7.5 - - 

TSS * mg/l 176.9 - 40.3 - 35.2 46.6 28.0 - - 

Sample vol. >50 μm Litres 2059 >1000 2187 >1000 3418 3364 3284 - >1000 

Sample vol. 50-10 μm Litres 6 >1 6 >1 6 6 6 - >1 

Sample vol. bacteria Litres 1 >0,5 1 - 1 1 1 - >0,5 

Organisms >50μm org./1m3 29723 >90 4291 >10 0 0 0 0 <10 

Organisms 10-50 μm* org./1ml 826 >90 272 >10 0 0 0 0 <10 

Organisms ca. 6-7 μm* org./1ml 1580 - 748 - 0 0 0 0 - 

Organisms ca. 4 μm* org./1ml 3991 - 4042 - 0 0 0 0 - 

Escherichia coli cfu/100ml 30 - 9 - 0 0 0 0 <250 

Intestinal Enterococci cfu/100ml 510 - 60 - 0 0 0 0 <100 

Vibrio cholerae** cfu/100ml 0 - 0 - 0 0 0 0 <1 

* Samples analysed at NIOZ, Texel. ** Samples analysed at IBEN, Bremerhaven. 
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Test Cycle Report, Test Cycle 3 

Date and time for ballast water uptake: 22.02.2011, 19.26 to 20.37h 

Position of ship during ballast water uptake: 

• in port at BAE Terminal, San Francisco, USA. 

• Water depth ca. 10 m. 

Date and time for ballast water discharge: 24.02.2011, 09.24 to 14.11h 

(in navigation to Stockton, USA) 

Holding time of treated ballast water between uptake and discharge approximately 40,5 

hours. 

Table 5. Results of Test Cycle 3. 

Uptake water Discharge water 

Treated aver. Parameter 

 

Unit 

 control IMO contro

l IMO # 1 # 2 # 3 #1-#3 IMO 

Temperature °C 10.8 - 10.7 - 10.9 10.9 10.9 - - 

Salinity PSU 25.0 - 25.3 - 24.8 24.8 24.8 - - 

POC * mg/l 6.7 - 8.0 - 7.3 7.3 3.6 - - 

TSS * mg/l 17.8 - 19.8 - 15.7 14.9 13.9 - - 

Sample vol. >50 μm Litres 1882 >1000 1738 >1000 3281 3258 3308 - >1000 

Sample vol. 50-10 μm Litres 6 >1 6 >1 6 6 6 - >1 

Sample vol. bacteria Litres 1 >0,5 1 - 1 1 1 - >0,5 

Organisms >50μm org./1m3 2986 >90 3026 >10 0 0 0 0 <10 

Organisms 10-50 μm* org./1ml 311 >90 221 >10 0 0 0 0 <10 

Organisms ca. 6-7 μm* org./1ml 648 - 535 - 0 0 0 0 - 

Organisms ca. 4 μm* org./1ml 3336 - 3088 - 0 0 0 0 - 

Escherichia coli cfu/100ml 21 - 5 - 0 0 0 0 <250 

Intestinal Enterococci cfu/100ml 35 - 9 - 0 0 0 0 <100 

Vibrio cholerae** cfu/100ml 0 - 0 - 0 0 0 0 <1 

* Samples analysed at NIOZ, Texel. ** Samples analysed at IBEN, Bremerhaven. 
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4. Discussion of the results 

The Ecochlor® ballast water treatment system has been thoroughly tested during the 

three test voyages on which three test cycles were performed between July 2010 and 

February 2011 in different environmental conditions and during different seasons. 

During these tests the system has proven to be highly effective to treat organisms. 

During all onboard tests, sample taking and sample processing was undertaken as 

previously outlined in the sampling protocol (Gollasch 2009). 

It is remarkable that during all test cycles the treated water at discharge met the 

organism concentration limits as addressed in Regulation D-2 of the IMO Ballast 

Water Management Convention (2004). 

Although this report focuses on the organism groups as described in Regulation D-2, it 

should also be noted that in the size class below 10 micron in minimum dimension no 

living phytoplankton was observed in the treated water at discharge. 

It should further be noted that no bacteria were found in discharge samples of the 

treated water. This is especially remarkable as the E. coli and Enterococci bacteriae 

concentrations during ballast water uptake were high (see results of Test Cycle 2). 

In summary, for all three test cycles, no living organisms as referred to in 

Regulation D-2 were found in the treated water on discharge. 

5. Test validity 

The required organism intake concentrations to challenge the treatment system were 

met and exceeded in all test cycles. 

The D-2 Standard, as described in the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention of 

2004, was met at discharge of the treated water in all test cycles. Further, the minimum 

water volumes of all sample types, as stated in G8, were met. 

Consequently, all three tests are considered as valid tests according to the IMO 

requirements (Guideline G8 and Regulation D-2). 
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References 

Gollasch, S. 2009. Onboard Sampling Protocol to Test the Efficiency of the Ballast 

Water Treatment System developed by Ecochlor, Version 8, 2009-03-02, 45 pp. 

IMO G8 2008. IMO Guideline G8 Guidelines for the Approval of Ballast Water 

Management Systems adopted on 10 October 2008 as Resolution MEPC.174(58), 28 

pp. 
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Appendix 1 Statement regarding Shipboard Tests 

Dr. Stephan Gollasch 

Grosse Brunnenstr. 61 

22763 Hamburg 

Germany 

Tel + 49 40 390 5460 

sgollasch@aol.com 

www.gollaschconsulting.de 

><((((°>

GoConsult

 ><((((°> 

<°))))><

Statement regarding Shipboard-Tests of the 

Ecochlor Ballast Water Treatment System 

06-03-2011 

To whom it may concern 

This is to confirm that the shipboard tests of the Ecochlor ballast water treatment system as 

documented in 

Final Report, Shipboard Tests of the Ecochlor Ballast Water Treatment System for Type 

Approval according to Regulation D-2 and the relevant IMO Guideline (G8) 

[the document this statement is appended to] 

were undertaken according to the 

Onboard Sampling Protocol to Test the Efficiency of the Ballast Water Treatment System 

developed by Ecochlor, Version 8, 2009-03-02, 45 pp. 

which was evaluated and approved by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, Hamburg 

prior to the tests. 

Kind regards, 

S. Gollasch 

Senior scientist, GoConsult