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Marine Effluents

Ships generate marine effluents: bilge water, ballast water, sewage, grey water, scrubber wash water, cargo tank washings, and deck runoff.

These wastewaters must be treated and discharged according to International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations. Without proper treatment, they contribute significantly to marine pollution.

Environmental challenges

Oil pollution → Requires separators & filtration.

Invasive species → Require filtration,  biological or UV treatment.

Sewage discharge → Must comply with IMO MARPOL Annex IV.

Heavy metals & acidification → Requires treatment before release.

Best available and cost-effective solutions

We have over 25 years experience designing and engineering bespoke process technology for treating all marine effluents for ships and submarines.

With unrivalled R&D Facilities we offer the best available and emerging technologies. Our integrated solutions are tailored for each marine application,  designed for complete, robust and automated treatment with minimal plant footprint.

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Marine Effluents Treatment Solutions

Ballast water

Untreated ballast water introduces invasive species into new marine ecosystems, disrupting biodiversity and harming local fisheries.

It contains various pollutants including bacteria, plankton, larvae, viruses, sediments, organic matter, hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and microplastics. Ballast Water Management Systems are regulated by the IMO and US Coast Guard.

We offer advanced ceramic filtration for ballast water treatment.
See Ceramic High Flux

Grey water

Grey water can be toxic to marine organisms and contributes to nutrient pollution and eutrophication. It includes soaps, detergents, surfactants, fats, oils, grease (FOG) from kitchens, food waste, microplastics, and synthetic fibres from laundry.

Treatment options include bioreactors and filtration systems for onboard reuse.







See Ceramic High Flux

Sewage (black water)

Untreated discharge can cause waterborne disease outbreaks and leads to oxygen depletion and algal blooms in coastal areas. Sewage contains pathogens (bacteria, viruses, E. coli, salmonella), organic matter (faeces, urine, BOD, COD, nitrogen, phosphorus), pharmaceutical residues (antibiotics, hormones, drugs).

Marine black water can be treated with biological, advanced oxidation, and hydrothermal processes.

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Cargo hold & tank cleaning wastewater

Some chemicals used are persistent and bio-accumulative and discharge causes marine pollution & toxicity. These wastewaters contain oil & hydrocarbon residues (from crude oil tankers, fuel carriers), chemical residues (solvents, detergents, acids, alkalis), heavy metals & solid sediments.

For treatment solutions:




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Bilge water

Illegal discharge leads to ocean pollution and marine life toxicity. Bilge water contains oil & grease (lubricants, fuel residues, hydraulic fluids), heavy metals (lead, copper, zinc, nickel, cadmium), detergents & cleaning chemicals, solid debris & sludge.

We offer membrane filtration for bilge water treatment:

See Membrane Filtration

Scrubber wash water

Discharge can acidify sea water and bioaccumulate heavy metals and PAHs in marine food chains. Sulphur dioxide absorption from exhaust gases creates an acidic wastewater with heavy metals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Scrubber water treatment neutralizes pH and removes heavy metals and PAHs.
See Solid Absorbent

Deck runoff

Direct discharge pollutes harbours and coastal areas. Rain and seawater washing over decks accumulates oil, grease, and fuel residues, cleaning chemicals & paints, plastics & microplastics.


Suitable treatment includes containment and filtration systems.

See Membrane Filtration

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