MOL conducts trials of ship-mounted microplastic collecting device

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has conducted a demonstration of a new device designed to collect microplastics from seawater.

The device was installed on an MOL wood chip carrier for the tests.

The device is activated during operation of the ballast water treatment system, with the assumption that collection takes place during cargo handling operations. Using a filter with a backwashing function, which constitutes the ballast water treatment system, the device efficiently collects microplastics trapped in the filter right before the treated water is discharged overboard.

MOL claims this is the first time such a device has been installed on a merchant vessel.

Further tests will be carried out to improve the device and to determine other ways to make it easier to be used by vessel crews.