Alfa Laval has introduced its latest ballast water management system, the PureBallast 3 Ultra, at the Marintec 2025 event held in China. Following its early production stage, the system has begun shipping from the company’s facility in Qingdao, China, and has already captured significant market interest.
This momentum, coupled with the recent milestone of over 10,000 PureBallast systems ordered globally, highlights Alfa Laval’s enduring presence in the ballast water management sector.
Innovative design meets industry needs
The unveiling of PureBallast 3 Ultra at Marintec showcases a technological advancement addressing
The unveiling of PureBallast 3 Ultra at Marintec showcases a technological advancement addressing both compactness and integration within the maritime field.
This new, streamlined system builds on extensive experience and feedback, having been refined over the years through numerous installations of earlier PureBallast versions, initially developed in collaboration with Wallenius Water over 20 years ago.
With manufacturing taking place in Qingdao, shipments began in August 2025, offering strategic advantages like reduced lead times for Asian shipyards.
Customer-driven developments
Anna Wieslander, Head of Alfa Laval PureBallast, stated, “We are pleased to present the PureBallast 3 Ultra reactor for the first time here at Marintec. Its development is the result of targeted R&D and close dialogue with our customers. We are here to stay and believe this solution is exactly what the market needs, both in terms of environmental technology and in terms of serviceability to ensure BWMS compliance.”
She further emphasised the importance of the company's investment in Qingdao to offer better customer support and ensure optimal service performance.
Efficiency-optimised system design
Key design enhancements include reduced piping needs, which simplify the facility process and help lower costs
The PureBallast 3 Ultra has been crafted with a focus on ease of installation, boasting a compact structure that allows for flexible on-board placement. Key design enhancements include reduced piping needs, which simplify the installation process and help lower costs.
Additionally, an integrated Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) function decreases maintenance and downtime. Its connectivity-ready setup supports remote monitoring, providing long-term operational stability for ship operators.
Pioneering future-focused solutions
While technical advancements in ballast water management have slowed, Alfa Laval remains dedicated to innovating within the sector. Their strategic commitment has led to the development of PureBallast 3 Ultra, offering significant operational enhancements tailored to both the shipbuilders' needs for simpler installations and operators' requirements for compliance and energy management.
In leveraging two decades of expertise, Alfa Laval is poised to support maritime operators throughout their vessels' operational lifespan, ensuring optimal performance across varying water conditions.
Alfa Laval unveils the PureBallast 3 Ultra reactor for ballast water management for the first time at Marintec 2025 in China. The system is already in production, with initial deliveries well underway from the company’s factory in China and has gained strong interest from the market.
This growing demand, together with the recent milestone of surpassing 10,000 PureBallast systems ordered globally, underscores Alfa Laval’s enduring commitment and leadership in ballast water management from the very beginning and well into the future.
Innovation driven by customer needs
The public unveiling of PureBallast 3 Ultra at Marintec, introduces the maritime industry to the compact, innovative core of the next-generation system designed to make ballast water management simpler and easier to achieve.
The system reflects years of experience and customer insights, evolving from the thousands of PureBallast installations delivered since the technology was first introduced in partnership with Wallenius Water over two decades ago.
With production at Alfa Laval’s factory in Qingdao, China, the regional presence ensures shorter lead times and smoother coordination with shipyards in China and across the Asia-Pacific region. Deliveries started in August 2025, and with a growing orderbook, PureBallast 3 Ultra is rapidly gaining traction in the market.
Investing in new technology
“We are pleased to present the PureBallast 3 Ultra reactor for the first time here at Marintec. Its development is the result of targeted R&D and close dialogue with our customers. We are here to stay and believe this solution is exactly what the market needs, both in terms of environmental technology and in terms of serviceability to ensure BWMS compliance,” says Anna Wieslander, Head of Alfa Laval PureBallast.
“By investing in this new technology and strengthening our footprint in Qingdao, we are ensuring that our customers have the support, proximity and performance they need for maximum performance and achievable compliance.”
A compact and flexible system designed for efficient installation
PureBallast 3 Ultra introduces several design improvements that directly support shipyards’ requirements for faster, more efficient installation. The system’s ultra-compact design significantly reduces the footprint and provides greater flexibility for placement on board. Its optimised system integration and minimised piping requirements streamline the installation process, lowering overall complexity and total installed cost.
The system also features an integrated Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) function that reduces both maintenance needs and operational downtime. All PureBallast 3 Ultra systems are connectivity-ready, enabling remote monitoring and more optimised service support throughout the vessel’s lifetime. While shipyards benefit from a system engineered for efficient installation, shipowners benefit from dependable compliance and easier operation.
Two decades of experience shaping a future-ready solution
In recent years, the ballast water management market has seen limited technical innovation, even as shipyards and shipowners continue to require systems that simplify design, installation, and operation while meeting regulations. Recognising this need, Alfa Laval made a strategic decision to invest in a next-generation system that delivers meaningful improvements for both shipbuilders and vessel operators.
While other players may be shifting focus, Alfa Laval is leveraging nearly two decades of proven experience to support vessel operators throughout the entire lifecycle of their assets. This expertise has been essential to shaping a system design that is both compact and robust, delivering high treatment performance across all water conditions while supporting ship operators, in maintaining manageable energy consumption.
