The scope of supply is based around ACO Marine’s type-approved Maripur NF-50 advanced membrane bioreactor treatment plant and includes a Lipator NS2 grease separation system for the pre-treatment of galley water, a grey water transfer system, and aeration equipment for the ship’s wastewater and sludge tanks.
Martin Wattel, Damen Shipyards’ project manager responsible for the upgrade work, said: “With previous experience of the Maripur system aboard four Holland-class ocean patrol vessels and the new joint support ship HNLMS Karel Doorman, the Royal Netherlands Navy was keen to upgrade the Mercuur with the same technology in order to comply with the new water treatment rules.”
ACO Marine Managing Director Mark Beavis said: “The requirement was to completely replace the existing black-water only system with a solution capable of treating both the black and grey water generated by a crew of 45.
“The challenge was to fit the type-approved Maripur NF-50 into a space previously occupied by a smaller non-compliant system. Access routes and space constraints were the main considerations but we have been able to design a system that not only fits into the available space, but also improves operational flexibility, reduces in-service operating costs and meets existing and future marine pollution rules.”
Damen Shipyards den Helder was awarded a maintenance contract in May 2015 to extend HNLMS Mercuur’s operational life to 2025. The ship, originally built by KSG de Schelde in 1987, is undergoing an extensive refit programme that includes bow reinforcement, a new bridge layout, a new galley etc.
Delivery and commissioning of the wastewater management plant will take place in December 2015, prior to the vessel being towed to Damen Shiprepair Harlingen for drydocking and painting.
ACO Marine is the global leader in advanced wastewater management solutions, supplying some of the leading navies of world, including France, UK, Russia, Egypt and Ireland. Fifty per cent of its business is in the marine retrofit, upgrade and conversion markets.
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