BallastWISE Sampler

Efficient Ballast Water Sampler for IMO D-2 Compliance

Simplify ballast water compliance testing with our automated device that concentrates large volumes of ballast water into manageable samples.

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How the BallastWISE Sampler Helps

Representative organism collection

Concentrates organisms ≥50 µm from large ballast water volumes into a representative sample for reliable biological analysis.

Reliable onboard testing

Streamlines the collection and concentration of ballast water samples, helping operators efficiently prepare samples for compliance testing.

Consistent workflow

Provides a controlled sampling process that reduces manual steps and supports a consistent workflow from sample collection to biological analysis.

Reliable Ballast Water Sampling

The BallastWISE Sampler from MicroWISE simplifies ballast water sampling for regulatory testing. It efficiently processes large sample volumes and concentrates organisms ≥50 µm into a manageable sample while maintaining sample quality for accurate biological analysis.

Traditional plankton nets, are slow and require constant attention. Accurate sampling is essential to determine whether a vessel’s discharge meets the IMO D‑2 biological performance threshold — fewer than 10 viable organisms ≥ 50 µm per cubic meter.

The BallastWISE Sampler provides a reliable, streamlined solution, preparing D‑2-compatible samples while supporting smoother inspections and reporting.

BallastWISE Sampler diagram illustrating automated, stress-free sampling of ballast water for IMO D-2 compliance

How the BallastWISE Sampler Works

1. Connect the Sampler

Prepare for Sampling

Connect the BallastWISE Sampler to the designated ballast water sampling port, ready to collect a representative ballast water sample.

2. Concentrate the Sample

Efficient Sample Concentration

The BallastWISE Sampler processes the typical 1m³ ballast water sample—or larger volumes when required—concentrating organisms into a representative sample for accurate biological analysis.

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3. Analyze with BallastWISE

Rapid Biological Analysis

Transfer the concentrated sample to the BallastWISE Compliance Monitoring Device for automated detection and quantification of living organisms. Results are available on-site in approximately 40 minutes.

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Portable BallastWISE Sampler in rugged case, designed for easy transport and field use
BallastWISE Sampler designed for efficient, stress-free ballast water sampling of organisms ≥50 μm

Why It Matters: The Challenge of Ballast Water Sampling

To verify compliance with the IMO D-2 standard, representative ballast water samples must be collected from large water volumes—typically 1m³. Traditional sampling methods require continuous operator supervision and careful handling to ensure sample quality. An automated, consistent sampling process simplifies this task while supporting reliable downstream analysis.

Feature BallastWISE Sampler Manual Plankton Net Sampling
Operation Automated sampling process Manual operation
Large-Volume Sampling Designed to process large ballast water volumes automatically Manual filtration of large volumes can be labour-intensive
Setup Compact footprint; can be placed directly on deck during sampling operations Requires deployment of a suspended plankton net and additional collection equipment such as a large sampling bucket
Sample Collection Controlled, repeatable concentration of organisms ≥50 µm Dependent on manual handling and operator technique
Workflow Reduces manual handling during sampling Multiple manual steps throughout the sampling process
Best Suited For Routine ballast water compliance sampling General plankton sampling and research applications