Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. Friday announced that MOL and Musashino Co., Ltd. have jointly developed the word’s first portable liquid-level gauge for vessel ballast tanks.

The gauge measures the level of ballast water (seawater) in a tank by
dropping a portable measuring tube into the sounding tube of the
ballast tank. A sensor detects air pressure changes in the tube and
quickly measures the ballast water level.

Conventional measurement using a sounding tape is complex and
time-consuming, requiring several crew members. Use of this new
liquid-level gauge makes it quick and easy to check the levels of many
ballast tanks, improving efficiency and enhancing the safety of
loading/discharging operations.

Vessels add seawater to their ballast tanks when discharging cargo, and
pump it out when loading cargo. This helps to control the balance of
the hull and ensure its stability. To prevent air from entering the
ballast pump during the final stages of discharging ballast water, it
is essential to measure the level of ballast water remaining in the
tank.

Source: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines

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• Coast Guard proposes new standards for ballast rules

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