French water treatment company BIO-UV Group has commenced military compatibility tests for its BIO-SEA ballast water treatment system with the US Navy.

Designed specifically for the US Navy, the BIO-SEA "M" series system successfully completed factory acceptance tests at BIO-UV Group's production facility in Lunel, France in April 2024.

The system will undergo rigorous testing similar to that of the compact "B" series unit, which was supplied to BIO-UV Group's US-based partner, The Columbia Group (TCG).

TCG, which was awarded a contract in 2021, is tasked with developing a ruggedised version of the BIO-SEA UV-based ballast water treatment system (BWTS) that is approved by the US Coast Guard.

The "B" series unit, installed in February 2024 for evaluation, has already completed over 500 hours of ballasting and deballasting operations on a logistics vessel.

Currently, the "B" unit is undergoing land-based electromagnetic interference testing to ensure it meets US military standards.

Following this, the system will face extensive vibration and shock testing.

BIO-UV Group deputy managing director Simon Marshall said: “We aim to have completed operational and environmental testing for both units by 2026.

“Should all tests pass the US Navy’s compatibility criteria, this will be the first step toward our system achieving Navy certifiable status and the objective of manufacturing units in North America.”

The overall programme aims to fulfil a US Government requirement to equip Navy vessels with an effective ballast water treatment solution.

BIO-UV Group and TCG teamed up to meet the US Government’s requirement.

The customised BIO-SEA B unit is a robust BWTS, utilising filtration and UV technology, capable of handling flow rates up to 300m³/h.

The larger M10 system is designed to treat flow rates of up to 1,000m³/h.