SHIP ballast processing equipment developed by Qingdao Sunrui Marine Environment Engineering Ltd. was approved by the China Classification Society (CCS) recently. This was the world’s 10th and China’s first ship ballast processing equipment.

    The company spent more than four years researching and developing the equipment and applying for seven national patents which were approved by the International Marine Organization and CCS last month.

    Construction of the industrial base for the equipment started in Laoshan District last year and the first phase of the project would produce 500 units when construction was completed later this year. The second phase of the project would start next year with capacity for 1,000 units a year.

    More than 80 percent of cargo is transported by sea in international trade. Before a ship leaves a port after unloading, it needs to take on sea water as ballast. (Wang Yuanyuan, Zhao Di)