Zero Emissions of oily water in the Baltic Sea
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | IVL SVENSKA MILJÖINSTITUTET AB - IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet Lysekil |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 696 949 |
| Project duration | December 2013 - December 2016 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
Project objectives included developing an add-on module for an existing system for bilge water treatment on ships. The objective was fulfilled and the function of the module was evaluated in a testbed. The results were promising and the technology takes shipping one step closer to a ´Zero Emissions in the Baltic Sea´ (ZEB) scenario. Further, the potential effects of bilge water emissions in the Baltic Sea were described and analysed, fulfilling a second project objective. Total discharges in one year were estimated and distributed geographically over the Baltic Sea.
Expected results and effects
The environmental risks in the Baltic Sea from discharges of treated bilge water are estimated to be low. Regulations on oil content and on board treatment are then assumed to be followed. Total emissions of oil with bilge water are calculated to be less than 10 tonnes per year with today´s ship traffic. Other substances may cause more harm to the marine environment than oil, and further research in this area might have policy implications. Additional treatment on board with recirculation of the cleaned water might be an interesting technical solution in very sensitive marine areas.
Planned approach and implementation
The project work packages have been clearly linked. Two of them have contained the overarching environmental assessments; one a life cycle assessment, and one an environmental risk assessment. The work package including the development and testing of the add-on module also contains an end product of the project. A large number of bilge water samples were collected and used in this and the other WPs. Sharing of Information and experience between WPs has been a key to reach project objectives.