Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd (MOL) has announced plans to install a ballast water treatment system (BWTS) on a very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) currently in service.

This will be the first such onboard system installed by any Japanese shipowner on an existing VLCC, MOL said. The company chose the JFE Ballast Ace system, which was developed by the Japanese JFE Engineering Corporation. The BWTS uses a combination of filters and chemical injection for the treatment of the ballast water. The installation will take place while the vessel is docked from March to April 2013.