BIO-UV Group Partners with Piriou to Deliver Eco-Friendly Ballast Water Treatment for Wind-Powered Cargo Ships

France-based water treatment pioneer BIO-UV Group has secured an agreement with shipbuilder Piriou Group to supply its BIO-SEA ballast water treatment technology to six wind-powered cargo ships being built for French operator TOWT (TransOceanic Wind Transport). The initial contract included supplying systems to the first two vessels in the series, Anemos and Artemis, which have already been delivered. The remaining six ships are scheduled for completion in 2025, 2026, and 2027. Each 81m long vessel will be equipped with a D-2 compliant low flow L03-0090 BIO-SEA system to treat ballast water flow rates of 90m3/hour.

The BIO-SEA systems are designed to fit into the ships’ machinery spaces with small footprints. The units will include Hydac filtration systems to optimize ballast holding times. Maxime Dedeurwaerder, Solutions Sales Director for EMEA at BIO-UV Group, highlighted the importance of the seamless production and delivery of the previous installations in securing this new order. The use of wind-powered ships like these schooners demonstrates a commitment to reducing the shipping industry’s environmental impact, with the BIO-SEA BWTS further enhancing environmental sustainability by preventing the spread of invasive species.

Guillaume Le Grand, President of TOWT-TransOceanic Wind Transport, emphasized the need for a compact, effective, and environmentally safe ballast water treatment solution for their sailing cargo ships. The decision to install BIO-SEA systems was made easy due to the successful cooperation between Piriou Group and BIO-UV Group. The vessels, designed to transport various goods using wind propulsion, feature innovative sail designs that significantly reduce CO2 emissions. With eight ships in operation, TOWT aims to save around 40,000t of CO2 by transporting goods across the Atlantic. BIO-UV Group CEO Laurent-Emmanuel Migeon expressed a commitment to working with innovative shipowners and shipyards to develop sustainable navigation solutions.

Source