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<h4>Discover our new digital tool for support!</h4>
Are you tired of looking for documents and papers? Do you want a smooth and available solution to the problem?
With our customer portal you get access to the following functions:
<ul>
<li>Information of your system</li>
<li>Tools for annual testing</li>
<li>Documentation</li>
<li>FAQ</li>
<li>Contact form to our support</li>
</ul>
The most common documents you will find in the customer portal are manuals, layouts, circuit diagrams, device lists, single line diagrams, and setting lists.
Do you want to connect?
To get access to our customer portal with information about your system we have chosen to use QR codes that are placed on your system, and you can easily get access to relevant information.
Scan the QR code, create an account and confirm via e-mail and you will be up and running.
There are two levels for your account, basic and extended. If you chose basic, you will access every information besides documentation. This type of account you only confirm by yourself with your specified e-mail. If you choose an extended account, you will access everything that a basic account provides you with and documentation as well.  This type of account needs to be confirmed with your specified e-mail and from us at KraftPowercon. This is for your own safety.
Do you have existing equipment from us but missing a QR code? Contact us via e-mail which you will find below, and we will help you get connected!
If you already are connected to our customer portal you can log in through: <a href="https://kp-care.com/find/">https://kp-care.com/find/</a>

QR Customer Portal

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KraftPowercon offers solutions, products, services—and drives innovation—within industrial power conversion.

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Ilan Bild

Ilan Guiladi has worked in purchasing and supplier sourcing throughout most of his career. As Head of Sourcing at KraftPowercon, he manages the day-to-day operations of our global purchasing division. We had a chat with Ilan to learn more about what a regular day looks like in our purchasing department. 

Ilan Guiladi has worked in purchasing and supplier sourcing throughout most of his career. As Head of Sourcing at KraftPowercon, he manages the day-to-day operations of our global purchasing division. We had a chat with Ilan to learn more about what a regular day looks like in our purchasing department.

Hi Ilan! Tell us about your professional background. 
Before joining KraftPowercon in 2012, I ran my own consulting business where I supported numerous companies with everything from project management and purchasing to contract negotiation and sourcing of suppliers. KraftPowercon was actually one of my clients back in the day, which is one of the reasons I’m part of the company now. Before my consulting days, I spent many years working in purchasing-related roles in the telecom industry, mainly as a Purchasing Manager. 
How would you describe your role as Head of Sourcing at KraftPowercon? 
As Head of Sourcing, I manage the global purchasing division at KraftPowercon. It’s my responsibility to develop our sourcing and purchasing strategies and to find, evaluate, and manage our global network of suppliers. I collaborate closely with my international colleagues in Shanghai and Pune. We utilize each other’s networks and work together to find the right partners for different endeavors. I also manage the day-to-day operations at our Purchasing Department in Surte.
What’s a regular day like for you? 
They usually start very early with me sifting through my ever-growing inbox, which generally contains a plethora of urgent matters that need my immediate attention. Either production has a problem with a shipment, or we’re lacking components, or a supplier has postponed a crucial delivery – each day is a new surprise! After that, I tend to whatever challenges the day has in store while juggling meetings back and forth. It sounds intense, and it is. But I wouldn’t want it any other way. I love working under pressure. It’s part of what makes my job interesting and fun!
Did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your department in any way? 
From a purchasing perspective, we didn’t suffer too much. From time to time, deliveries got delayed when our suppliers had to shut down due to staff shortages on their end, which was a direct result of COVID-19. The biggest challenges for us started when the pandemic slowed down at the beginning of 2022. Right now, the entire world is dealing with massive shortages of electronic components, which naturally affects us too as a power supply company. 
How have worked to overcome these challenges as a department? 
We’ve been able to overcome most challenges by making accurate forecasts of which components we need ahead of time. By also breaking down our orders into smaller batches, we’ve been able to continuously ship crucial deliveries to our customers and avoid disruptions in production. At the end of the day, all companies are in the same boat right now. Material and components are hard to come by, that’s just the reality of things, and our customers know this. The most important thing is to keep a close dialogue with our suppliers and customers and to plan ahead. 
What do you like most about working at KraftPowercon? 
I’ve worked at many global industrial companies throughout my career, so I know a thing or two about how the corporate world works. What’s so refreshing about KraftPowercon is that we are a very agile organization, free from slow-moving bureaucratic processes. Requests or decisions don’t have to pass through several instances for approval, which is especially important for my department – as we’re often pressured for time and forced to act quickly. Furthermore, we have a great company culture. We’re very supportive of one another and do our best to help our colleagues when they need it.

More news and insights

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Marco Monzani has always been passionate about technology and people. So much so that he decided to pursue a career in engineering. As Head of R&D at KraftPowercon, Marco gets the opportunity to combine both his passions daily. But what does the Head of R&D at an industrial power supply company do? What better way to find out than asking Marco himself!

Hi Marco! Tell us about your professional background. 
Sure! Where to begin. As far as I can remember, I have always been passionate about technology and product development, which led me to pursue a career as an engineer. I have had different engineering jobs and worked in several industries throughout my career. I have been in the consultancy industry, the audio industry, the automotive industry, and most recently, the marine industry. I have worked professionally in R&amp;D since 1993, and since 2005, in management positions. Moving across different industries has allowed me to work with a wide array of products aimed at different markets. About two and a half years ago, I joined KraftPowercon as Head of R&amp;D.
How would you describe a regular day as Head of R&amp;D at KraftPowercon? 
KraftPowercon is a global company with R&amp;D departments in Sweden, India, and China. As Head of R&amp;D, I spend a lot of time coordinating our global R&amp;D efforts with my international colleagues. We work closely and utilize each other’s strengths to develop new products and solutions. I am also closely involved in talent acquisition, recruitment, and employer branding, which are areas I find very important. To be able to develop world-leading power solutions, we need talented people. It goes hand in hand.
Why do you think employer branding is important? 
To attract new talent, we need to differentiate ourselves from our competitors. Engineers especially are highly sought-after – not only in our industry, but by all companies that either provide services or manufacture products of a technical character. Multiple factors dictate whether a potential candidate finds a specific company interesting or not. Things such as company culture, reputation, and even measures related to sustainability, are things people consider when comparing one company with another.
We have a lot to offer at KraftPowercon, but sometimes I think candidates get deterred because we develop products for rather niched applications. That is why I believe employer branding is crucial – as it allows us to present our value proposition in a more holistic and appealing way to potential candidates.
What are the most challenging aspects of your job? 
As a department, we are faced with technical challenges every day – it is part of the job. On the one hand, we work to develop new innovative products and applications for our business units. On the other hand, we are continuously upgrading our existing product portfolio. It is a balancing act that demands close collaboration across different competencies and disciplines. Our engineers work with products and applications for all our business units. Whether you are interested in the technology, or rather about the application itself, we offer equally relevant challenges and opportunities for everyone to express their skills and creativity.
What motivates you in your work? 
I very much enjoy the variety of my job – no two days are the same. While I like the technical aspects, my main driving force is enabling my colleagues. For me, it is crucial to cultivate a work environment in which people thrive and develop. Thanks to my engineering background, I have a good understanding of the challenges our engineers face. I speak their language, so to say. This is very helpful for me as I often act as a bridge between the R&amp;D department, which is very technical and product-oriented, and other departments at the company.
What do you like most about working at KraftPowercon? 
I like that we have a welcoming, familiar company culture and an international atmosphere with colleagues all over the world. I think what separates KraftPowercon from other companies I have previously worked at is that we genuinely put our customers’ needs at the forefront. Sure, this might sound like a cliché – but it is true, nonetheless. Whenever a problem occurs that affect our customers, we do our utmost to solve it.

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Teddy_Alexandersson_web

We are happy to announce the arrival of our new Field Service Engineer, Teddy Alexandersson! 

Teddy is a seasoned Service Engineer with several years of experience working in the marine industry through his previous employments at both Wärtsilä and Lean Marine. Most recently, Teddy worked as a Field Application Engineer at Jensen Sweden. We had a chat with Teddy to learn more about his background, previous experience, and what he thinks about joining the KraftPowercon marine team.
<img src="https://kraftpowercon.imgix.net/2021/12/Teddy_Alexandersson_web.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat"/> 
&nbsp;
Hi Teddy! Tell us about your professional background.
Sure! It is a bit of a mixed bag to tell you the truth. I have held many different types of service-related positions throughout my career. Most recently, I worked as a Field Application Engineer at Jensen Sweden, which specializes in industrial laundry products. Before that, I spent many years in the marine industry working as a Service Engineer for both Wärtsilä and Lean Marine. I have had different titles and job descriptions over the years, but they have all been related to technical service in some shape or form.
&nbsp;
How did you get started in the marine industry? 
I had a neighbor at one point who worked at Transas, which at the time was a leading developer and supplier of onboard and shore-based systems and marine simulators. He told me that Transas was looking for Service Engineers, so I applied for the job and got it. That was the initial springboard that got me into the marine world.
I worked at Transas for five years, which later became a part of Wärtsilä when they merged. My job as a Service Engineer entailed installing both software and hardware aboard ships, as well as regular maintenance, troubleshooting, and service. To this day, I have worked on around 400 ships.
&nbsp;
What do you like most about your job?
The variety! As a Service Engineer, you travel a lot as you are dispatched to customers in different parts of the world. The mix of working onboard ships and at the office is very stimulating. I also like the social aspect of my work – being around friendly and fun colleagues and crew is for me very rewarding.
Moreover, I am also very fond of the practical aspects of my work. I am a problem solver at heart and have always been passionate about computers, gadgets, and technical stuff. I like the challenges that the job often presents. When working aboard a ship, there is rarely any repair shops around the corner, so you must make do with what you have got on hand and find solutions to complex issues. It is challenging, but that is where the fun lies!
&nbsp;
What will you be doing as a Field Service Engineer at KraftPowercon?
Pretty much the same thing I have been doing throughout my career – installing, servicing, and troubleshooting hardware and software. The main difference is that I will be working with KraftPowercon’s products and customers, which I am very excited about!
&nbsp;
Thanks for the chat, Teddy! Any final thoughts? 
Any time! It is exciting to be a part of the team and I am looking forward to getting to know my new colleagues and customers better.

airplane_kraftpowercon-2

Airplane_kraftPowercon-2

Welcome to our booth at SUR/FIN Detroit, MI!

A smooth, consistent finish relies on a smooth, consistent supply. 
Discover quality metal finishing with KraftPowercon.
Want to learn about unconsidered insights to achieve optimal plating quality? 
Please visit us at SUR/FIN, booth 235, Hall B

surfin_2019-2-2

SURFIN_2019

High Current Rectifiers

kraftpowercon-dct

Kraftpowercon-DCT

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on public health and disrupted the global economy in unprecedented ways. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the maritime industry has struggled with a plethora of challenges spanning from soaring container freight rates and shipyard lockdowns to shortages of materials and components. To gain insight into the challenges our marine team has faced during this past year and a half, and what measures we have taken to overcome them, we talked to our Business Unit Director Tommy Rochhausen and Sales Coordinator Robert Beach.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on public health and disrupted the global economy in unprecedented ways. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the maritime industry has struggled with a plethora of challenges spanning from soaring container freight rates and shipyard lockdowns to shortages of materials and components. To gain insight into the challenges our marine team has faced during this past year and a half, and what measures we have taken to overcome them, we talked to our Business Unit Director Tommy Rochhausen and Sales Coordinator Robert Beach.

With an entire industry racing against the clock to become compliant with the D-2 standard of the Ballast Water Management Convention, the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t have come at a worse time. As the pandemic swept across nations and continents, many retrofitting procedures had to be put on halt as shipyards across the globe went into lockdown.
<blockquote>“When the pandemic started in the spring of 2020, shipyards around the world went into lockdown, delaying planned BWMS installations. This affected system manufacturers, which in turn affected us as a component supplier. We had to postpone many of our planned rectifier deliveries as few system installations could be carried out,”&nbsp;said Tommy.</blockquote>
When the shipyard lockdowns started, several customers put their rectifier orders on hold – forcing KraftPowercon’s marine team to downsize its production capacity.
<blockquote>“At that point in time, we were forced to downsize our production and implement a government-issued short-time furlough since many of our customers put their orders on hold. But things turned around eventually when the shipyards started opening again. Now the situation is the opposite – we have had to scale up to double shifts to make up for lost time and catch up in production,”&nbsp;said Tommy.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>“Our customers have ramped up their production again, so they are very eager to receive shipments from us, but due to material shortages on both raw materials and individual components, we have struggled to keep up with the demand. This has disrupted the flow in our deliveries and forced us to become even more flexible in our production planning,” Robert adds. </blockquote>
Transitioning from the lockdowns to a new situation where orders have started picking up again has tested the marine team’s capacity to scale back up. Especially in a time where certain materials and components are hard to come by. But thanks to good production planning, clever logistical solutions, and close collaboration with customers, crucial orders and deliveries have been able to flow during the entire pandemic. 
<blockquote>“Even though we have struggled to get a hold of certain materials and components, our production team has been able to maintain a good flow in our deliveries thanks to a close dialogue with our customers and suppliers. By planning ahead and being flexible, we have managed to re-plan certain high-volume orders and delivered the most crucial components that our customers need,”&nbsp;said Tommy.</blockquote>
<blockquote>“By thoroughly planning our outbound logistics together with our customers, we have managed to allow for additional time in production to receive materials from our suppliers. This way, we have gotten extra days in production to complete crucial orders without any significant delay in delivery time to our customers,”&nbsp;Robert adds.</blockquote>

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Support-1

Making sure production is stable and securing timely deliveries has been a challenge during the pandemic. On the opposite side of the spectrum, existing customers are awaiting regular maintenance of already installed rectifiers. Thanks to the marine team’s global service network, these errands have been taken care of with the help of local service engineers and remote support.
<blockquote>“Due to international travel bans and local restrictions, we haven’t been able to dispatch our service engineers to the same extent as before. Luckily, we have a global support network with service hubs on all continents, which has enabled us to go onboard vessels to perform maintenance in some cases,”&nbsp;said Tommy.</blockquote>
<blockquote>“Even if we in many cases have had the local resources to provide service on-site, local restrictions have prevented us to board vessels. In these cases, we have been able to provide service through our remote support,”&nbsp;Robert adds.</blockquote>
Despite all the obstacles and challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed on the marine team’s operation, Tommy and Robert are optimistic about the future – estimating that the marine team’s operational capacity will be back in full in the coming months.
<blockquote>“Our prognosis is that our production will be back on par to what it was prior to the pandemic sometime in November. As for after-market, we can’t be certain when things will be back to normal as travel restrictions are still enforced in certain parts of the world. Regardless of what happens, we will do everything we can to help our industry and customers reach the deadline of the BWM Convention,”&nbsp;Tommy says.</blockquote>

See all News and Insights

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H4SC1DBY-dh-news-6

KraftPowercon recently entered the Green Transition Alliance (GTA) together with 12 other Swedish companies committed to supporting South Korea’s journey of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In light of this, we decided to talk to our Asian Sales Director Duckhyun Yun (DH) to get a deeper insight into our operations in Asia, how the GTA will influence the marine industry in South Korea, and the purpose of our involvement. 

dh-news

DH-News

KraftPowercon recently entered the Green Transition Alliance (GTA) together with 12 other Swedish companies committed to supporting South Korea’s journey of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. In light of this, we decided to talk to our Asian Sales Director Duckhyun Yun (DH) to get a deeper insight into our operations in Asia, how the GTA will influence the marine industry in South Korea, and the purpose of our involvement. 
<h4 class="sqsrte-large preFade fadeIn">Hi DH! Could you start by describing what you do at our South Korean office?</h4>
Sure! I am the acting Asian Sales Director of KraftPowercon Korea, which means I oversee all sales and marketing-related matters in the Asian region. I joined KraftPowercon Korea in 2018 when the office was first established. Since then, I have been working hard to promote our innovative power solution to various industries in South Korea.
<h4 class="sqsrte-large preFade fadeIn"> Why is it important for KraftPowercon Marine to have a local presence in Asia?</h4>
In the marine industry, it is crucial to ensure high availability and stable operations. This is especially true for ballast water management systems, as they are responsible for performing vital ballasting procedures under the laws and regulations in place. A system failure or breakdown could have a severe negative impact on a shipowner’s business, both from a financial and environmental standpoint. To be able to respond swiftly to our customers’ service needs, KraftPowercon Marine has a global service network in place and a local presence in Asia, as many of our customers and partners are based here.
<h4 class="sqsrte-large preFade fadeIn">And why do we have an office in South Korea specifically?</h4>
South Korea is a global shipbuilding powerhouse – many shipyards and major ballast water management manufacturers are based here. To be close to our industry partners and customers, we have a service center and a marine spare part hub in Ulsan. Thanks to our local presence, we can respond to any emergency service request related to our power supplies. We can also ensure the operational capacity and minimize downtime of ships passing through the region, would they need our assistance. Having a global presence significantly improves our response time, which is paramount as we have a global customer base.
<h4 class="sqsrte-large preFade fadeIn">KraftPowercon recently joined the Green Transition Alliance. Could you tell us more about our involvement in the initiative?</h4>
KraftPowercon is one of the founding members of the KOR-SWE Green Transition Alliance, which is an initiative led jointly by the Swedish Embassy, Business Sweden, and 13 prominent industry companies from Sweden. The purpose of the initiative is to promote the sustainable development of South Korea’s industry and ultimately to support the country’s ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. By joining forces with Swedish companies active in South Korea, our goal is to find synergies and lay a foundation for the cooperative development of industries in both Sweden and South Korea.
For KraftPowercon, joining the initiative was a given. Our products and solutions are used in a broad spectrum of industries essential to sustainable development and environmental conservation; green hydrogen, air pollutant reduction, and marine environment protection to name a few. It was only natural for us to join the initiative as we can help promote technological innovation and sustainable development in these industries.
<h4 class="sqsrte-large preFade fadeIn">How can we contribute to the goals of the Green Transition Alliance from a marine perspective? Both short and long-term?</h4>
KraftPowercon is a company with leading experience and innovative technology within the field of ballast water management. Our ambition is to actively communicate with the domestic marine industry and help to promote the technological and environmental competitiveness of the South Korean marine industry. Furthermore, to achieve growth in line with the UN SDGs.
In the short term, we hope to expand our market share by promoting our proven and innovative marine power solution to customers and key stakeholders through various activities together with the alliance. Long-term, we hope to grow as a total power solution company and to work alongside more industry partners within the South Korean marine industry. Our ambition is to keep powering efficient ballasting while at the same time protecting vital marine ecosystems around the world. With new local partnerships, we hope to take action, co-create and raise ambitions with the shared goal of transitioning South Korea to a green role model on the world stage.

airwatercooling-kpmarine-2

airwatercooling-kpmarine

Like any powerful piece of hardware, the rectifier generates heat when in operation and needs to be properly cooled to achieve maximum performance. But what is the best way to keep your rectifier running at an ideal temperature? Most rectifiers today are either water-cooled or air-cooled – which naturally begs the question if one cooling solution is better than the other. In this article, we have broken down the pros and cons of each solution to give you a better idea of which option might be best for you.

air vs water cooling - kpmarine

<h3>AIR-COOLED RECTIFIER – PROS AND CONS</h3>
<h4>PROS</h4>
It works almost everywhere as long as you have sufficient airflow in the space you are placing the rectifier in.
It is easier to install as it does not have to be connected to the ship’s existing water-cooling system.
As there is no water in the appliance, an air-cooled rectifier does not run the risk of freezing if the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius in the space it is placed in.
No risk for condensation inside the appliance as no cold water is run through a heat sink. (In a water-cooled rectifier, the humidity in the air can cause condensation on the heat sink, which can lead to water leaking into the hardware.)
<h4>CONS</h4>
Air is not as efficient in transporting heat as water. Hence, to properly cool the rectifier, the airflow needs to be high. Especially if the ambient temperature is high. If the ambient temperature increases out of the specification – i.e., gets too high – the rectifier might stop due to overheating.
Bad air quality can have a negative impact on the performance of the rectifier and might result in the inlet air filter having to be changed more frequently. If the air quality is very poor, it can even cause the rectifier to break down.
<h3>WATER-COOLED RECTIFIER – PROS AND CONS</h3>
<h4>PROS</h4>
Water-cooling is a more efficient cooling method since the thermal resistance is much lower between the heat sink and water tubes as opposed to the heat sink and forced air.
Water has a much higher energy density compared to air hence less volume is needed.
Cooling power is solely dependent on water temperature and water flow, which means that even if the ambient temperature around the rectifier is very high, the rectifier can still operate as normal.
<h4>CONS</h4>
Availability of cooling water circuit needed.
Water-cooled rectifiers run a risk of freezing if placed in a space where the temperature can fall below zero degrees Celsius.
Obvious risk for condensation issues if the heat sink in the rectifier is colder than the ambient temperature.
To avoid risk of freezing damage as well as condensation issues it is absolutely necessary to control the water flow. Let the water flow in case of risk for freezing damages and stop the flow in case of risk for condensation issues.
Since the LT system sometimes contains sediment that might clog the water tubes, a strainer might be needed, which must be cleaned regularly.
<h4>CONCLUSION</h4>
Regardless of whether you choose an air-cooled or a water-cooled rectifier, the environmental requirements for the rectifier’s performance are the same. They operate in the same environment and feed the same load. The only difference is that the heat generated inside the rectifier is removed by using either forced air or water as cooling media.
Making sure your rectifier has a modular design is also crucial, as it ensures easy troubleshooting and maintenance if anything were to go wrong. From an operational perspective, this is especially important. Because if one module malfunctions or breaks down, the remaining modules will compensate for the output lost from the malfunctioned component. If this were to occur, the rectifier will keep operating – albeit at a reduced capacity – thanks to the remaining modules’ built-in redundancy. This is of great help when troubleshooting the system. But more importantly: it is of great value for the ballast water management system owner, as they can continue to load and unload their cargo.

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The deadline at which shipowners around the world need to fit their vessels with compliant ballast water management systems (BWMS) is rapidly approaching. By September 2024, all vessels traveling international waters must carry out ballast water management procedures in accordance with the D-2 standard of the Ballast Water Management Convention. In light of this, we decided to talk to the figurehead of one of the leading ballast water management consultancies worldwide – Jad Mouawad of Mouawad Consulting – to get his thoughts on what measures shipowners need to take for a successful BWMS retrofit.

jad-kp-web

Jad-kp-web

<h5 class="preSlide slideIn">The deadline at which shipowners around the world need to fit their vessels with compliant ballast water management systems (BWMS) is rapidly approaching. By September 2024, all vessels traveling international waters must carry out ballast water management procedures in accordance with the D-2 standard of the Ballast Water Management Convention. In light of this, we decided to talk to the figurehead of one of the leading ballast water management consultancies worldwide – Jad Mouawad of Mouawad Consulting – to get his thoughts on what measures shipowners need to take for a successful BWMS retrofit.</h5>
Jad started Mouawad Consulting in 2013 after seven years as a Ballast Water Management Expert at DNV. Since starting his consultancy, it has become recognized internationally as the professional, technical and independent organization that can be relied on in all matters related to ballast water management.
“I started working with approval and certification of BWMS around three years after the BWM Convention was adopted in 2004. Back then, the Convention was fairly unknown to most people, and I had to deal with everything from type approvals and the development of rules and regulations very early on. Principally, I do the same work now as I did when I was at DNV, but as a consultant.”
It wasn’t until 13 years later, on September 8, 2017, that the BWM Convention officially entered into force. Since then, the maritime industry has been forced to adjust its course towards becoming compliant with a new, global standard. A monumental task, if you ask Jad.
“My perception is that the ones who drafted the Convention didn’t envision the colossal impact it would have on the industry. Retrofitting the equipment of a global fleet is a massive undertaking. It requires a lot of planning and man-hours. And the equipment needed is not cheap, so there is a lot of money involved. Luckily, this is also a good thing, as several manufacturers started developing good equipment. If the market demand was low, no one would have bothered. At the same time, it has become a burden on shipowners having to invest in new systems and equipment they previously did not need.”
With an industry scrambling to become compliant with new regulations, the demand for BWMS has skyrocketed over the last couple of years. Given the timeframe, we are currently in the midst of a massive retrofit surge predicted to peak in 2022. Consequently, this has put immense pressure on system manufacturers to keep up with the demand.
“Availability of equipment is key if we want to avoid costly standstills and bottlenecks. This does not only go for BWMS equipment but things such as flanges, valves, pipes, and cables – regular equipment needed in ships. These parts are important to have before a vessel is docked at the shipyard ready to undergo a retrofit.”
Retrofitting a BWMS is a complex process that requires careful planning. Therefore, we asked Jad to outline the retrofit journey from beginning to end to shed light on what measures shipowners need to take, and what pitfalls to avoid.

<h3 class="preSlide slideIn">JAD’S FIVE-STEP GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL RETROFIT  </h3>
<h4 class="preFade fadeIn">1. DO A THOROUGH MARKET ANALYSIS</h4>
The process of retrofitting a BWMS to an existing vessel consists of more than simply choosing a system. According to Jad, identifying the limitations and analyzing the conditions on board the vessel should be the natural starting point for anyone looking to carry out a successful retrofit project.
“The biggest mistake I see shipowners make is buying a system before analyzing the conditions on board. This will only come back to haunt you in the long run. Instead, work systematically and do a thorough market analysis to see which components perfectly match your vessel. You can do this yourself if you do not want to hire a consultant. Of course, if you want an elaborate analysis, I recommend hiring a consultant. This will help you avoid unnecessary operational problems in the end.”
<h4 class="preFade fadeIn">2. MAKE A SHORTLIST OF SUITABLE BWMS</h4>
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to BWMS. But with a proper market analysis as a foundation, you can rest assured you will find the equipment, components, and system perfectly suitable for your needs.
“There are many parameters to take into account before actually choosing a system or technology for your vessel. Things such as pump capacity, ballast water flow, available space, and water characteristics are important factors to consider before settling on a specific system. If you have done your market analysis properly, you can easily make a shortlist of around two to three systems that are ideal for your vessel. Then, you can proceed with finding a system manufacturer that can deliver on the requirements you have.”
Additionally, price and quality are two important factors for shipowners planning a retrofit. But focusing too much on the cost issue is a major mistake if you ask Jad. Especially if you plan on buying cheap equipment from unknown manufacturers.
“As shipowners narrow down their system options, they naturally start looking at the price tag for the equipment. And I get it: nobody wants to pay more than what they have to. But if you plan on buying cheap equipment from a manufacturer that no one else in the industry is buying from, you are setting yourself up for failure. It will probably break down, it will be impossible to fix, and you won’t get the support and help you need. Instead, look for a combination of reasonable price and quality – there are plenty of good options to choose from in the middle.”
<h4 class="preFade fadeIn">3. PLANNING THE INSTALLATION</h4>
When the theoretical legwork is done, it is time to hire Marine Engineers to go on board your vessel and plan the practical installation of the BWMS. This process is crucial as it outlines where all the system equipment needs to be installed.
“When we reach this step of the process, we go on board the ship as Marine Engineers and not as 3D scanners. Sure, we bring 3D scanners – which in reality is just an elaborate camera – to create a three-dimensional rendering of the surface and space inside the vessel. But we also talk to the crew to learn more about how the ship operates and what the conditions on board are like. After that, we head back to the office and make a 3D rendition of the system with the help of our scan. When this work is done, we send a detailed report to the shipowner and crew who get to review our proposition before we transition to the next step.”
<h4 class="preFade fadeIn">4. DESIGN ENGINEERING PHASE</h4>
The design engineering phase is a meticulous process where Jad and his team specifies which system components are needed to assemble the final BWMS. This is summarized in drawings that get sent over to classification societies for final approval.
“In this phase, we start looking at things such as which pipes, flanges, bolts and cables we need to assemble the final system. When this is done, we send over the final drawings to the classification societies for approval. If the drawings are approved, we create a technical specification detailing everything that the retrofit includes. We send this specification to the shipowner who goes to the shipyard and asks for a price to do the retrofit work. Then, finally, we start putting the system together.”
<h4 class="preFade fadeIn">5. INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING</h4>
After the preparation phase is done and all technical specifications have been approved by classification societies, it is time to move on to the most critical phase of the retrofit project: installation and commissioning of the system. This is when things finally start coming to fruition.
“Even though we have planned everything very thoroughly in theory, you always encounter obstacles when applying the plan in reality. Adjustments need to be made, more materials need to be bought, and so forth. And we do not want the shipyard to make these adjustments as they tend to go for the easiest options. And usually, this will not result in a good retrofit in the end. That is why we always make sure to have a representative from either us, the shipowner, or the BWMS manufacturer onsite to ensure that the installation is done properly.”
Once the installation is complete, it is time to commission the BWMS. This is the final stage of the retrofit project and involves testing every single function of the system to make sure all components work.
“Commissioning the whole system usually takes three to four days. Again, we have representatives from the BWMS manufacturer onsite to ensure all tests are done by the book. When the commissioning is done, we teach the crew how to operate the system.”
Jad has certified an extensive amount of BWMS while working as responsible for Ballast Water Management at DNV. He has also been involved in over 200 vessel projects throughout his career, where he and his team has provided consultancy services on all matters related to ballast water management. Learn more about the services Mouawad Consulting provides at <a href="http://www.bwm.no/">www.bwm.no</a>

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