As environmental regulations tighten and operational costs increase, shipowners need to make smarter investment decisions for their vessels. While the market for wastewater treatment systems is saturated with options that are initially less expensive, G&O Maritime offers a bioreactor system that provides significant operational advantages and long-term savings. This article explores the value propositions behind G&O’s bioreactors, specifically targeting the needs of shipowners.

A key consideration for shipowners is the total cost of ownership (TCO), which extends beyond the initial purchase price to encompass operational costs, maintenance, and system longevity. For instance, G&O’s bioreactor significantly reduces engineering hours during installation. Adapting system to the ship’s design from the outset can save up to 100 engineering hours, which translates into tangible cost reductions.

“We make sure our system aligns with the ship’s existing dimensions and setup, so there is less rework required at the yard. This upfront customization helps avoid costly adjustments later,” Thomas Højbo Hansen, Sales Director and Marine Engineer at G&O, says.

For shipowners, this means less disruption during the installation phase and a smoother process overall. Reducing these hours not only saves immediate costs but also avoids potential delays in commissioning the vessel.

Eliminating unnecessary complexity

A major part of G&O’s value proposition lies in the simplicity. Unlike traditional wastewater treatment systems that require PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and chemical dosing units, G&O’s bioreactor eliminates the need for these components.

“When a system relies on a PLC, it often requires a specialized engineer to manage the commissioning, which adds costs and logistical challenges, especially if they need to travel to the vessel. Our system is different; most of our customers can oversee the commissioning themselves,” Thomas Højbo Hansen says.

This approach reduces the reliance on external expertise, cutting down both the time and the cost associated with bringing the system in operation.

Additionally, by removing the need for chemical dosing units, G&O’s bioreactor sidesteps the operational risks linked to traditional systems. Thomas pointed out that many issues arise from empty chemical tanks, leading to system failures or even environmental fines due to non-compliance. By avoiding these problems, G&O’s system not only saves money on chemicals but also minimizes operational downtime and regulatory risks.

Long-term durability

Thomas Højbo Hansen stresses that G&O’s focus on high-quality European components plays a critical role in minimizing long-term expenses.

“You can purchase cheaper systems, often built by local brands in Asia, but these systems tend to fail sooner, leading to higher maintenance costs or the need for premature replacement,” he said.

He gave the example of a large vessel operator, which had difficulties with a cheaper system built outside Europe.

 “They found themselves without adequate support from the supplier, which ultimately cost them more in terms of both time and money. The price and hassle of a retrofitting a unit later, is far superior to installing more expensive equipment in the new build phase.”

In contrast, G&O’s bioreactors are designed to last longer, require fewer repairs, and come with robust support from a company deeply embedded in the marine industry. For shipowners, this translates to lower lifecycle costs, as G&O’s systems reduce the need for frequent maintenance, spare parts, and external technical support.

“In the end, even though our systems may come with a higher initial price tag, the overall savings are significant when you look at the full operational life of the vessel,” Thomas Højbo Hansen emphasizes.

Environmental compliance without complications

As environmental regulations become stricter, the cost of non-compliance continues to rise. G&O’s bioreactor systems are designed to meet current and future environmental standards without the need for complex chemical dosing. Traditional systems often rely on chlorine for disinfection, which not only requires ongoing maintenance but also comes with higher environmental risks.

G&O’s biological treatment process is inherently less hazardous and environmentally friendlier, avoiding the issues associated with chemical use. “We don’t rely on chlorine for disinfection like many other systems do,” Thomas noted. “This means less logistic challenges for chemical replenishment, fewer regulatory risks for our customers, and they avoid the environmental fines that may become more common as regulations tighten.”

In addition to compliance benefits, G&O’s system reduces the chances of operational disruptions. “Our bioreactors don’t trigger alarms or suddenly stop due to chemical imbalances,” Thomas explained. “This ensures smooth operations on board, which shipowners appreciate because it means fewer headaches and interruptions.”

A smarter investment for shipowners

While cheaper alternatives are readily available, they often come with hidden costs and operational complexities that shipowners must manage over time. G&O’s bioreactor system is designed to provide value across the entire lifecycle of the vessel, offering not only immediate operational simplicity but also long-term savings on maintenance, environmental compliance, and system reliability.

For shipowners looking to optimize the total cost of ownership while ensuring compliance and operational efficiency, G&O’s bioreactors offer a compelling solution. “At the end of the day, investing in quality upfront ensures peace of mind and fewer unexpected costs down the road. Fortunately, we now see shipowners paying more attention to value propositions, as we aim to step up our efforts to document the complete lifecycle economy of our products,” Thomas concludes.

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