Helping merchant vessels stay on course
Every day, thousands of merchant vessels carry goods that keep the world moving. From fuel and food to raw materials and electronics. These cargo ships are the backbone of global trade. On board these giant vessels, every system must pull its weight, from the bridge to the engine room.
The sanitary system may not be the first thing you notice, but for the people at sea, toilets that are reliable, efficient and easy to maintain make all the difference. These cargo ships are not only workplace, but also home to the crews who sail them.
Flexible, efficient and built to last
Jets® vacuum sanitary systems match the demands of merchant shipping. Each flush uses less than a litre of water, drastically reducing freshwater consumption and cutting wastewater volumes. That in turn means smaller treatment plants which saves both space and weight.
- Flexible piping makes installation easier in tight spaces, whether on a newbuild or retrofit, and fewer moving parts keep maintenance simple. Merchant vessels are workhorses of the sea. They’re built for efficiency and durability. Jets® vacuum sanitary systems match that mindset by being compact, light, and efficient, says Hans-Joachim Koblischke, Business Director Merchant at JETS.
Read more about how Jets® vacuum sanitary systems can be suitable for any ship.
Reliable systems are smart investments
For shipowners, the key is long-term reliability. A cargo vessel can spend weeks between ports, and if something goes wrong it disrupts an important and tight schedule. Service stops or repairs to faulty systems can have great consequences.
- When I talk with shipowners, reliability is always top of the list. Owners want systems that just keep running with minimal intervention, explains Koblischke.
Investing in reliable, well-designed systems is a smart economic choice. Although the sanitary system is a relatively small part of the vessel as a whole, the impact is significant. When built to last, they reduce maintenance needs, support vessels in keeping to schedule, and last but not least ensure the comfort of the crew. For ship owners, it is ultimately about knowing that every system on board, including the sanitary system, can be trusted to perform.
Read more about our dedicated Aftermarket-team and how you can trust JETS - also after delivery
Ensuring crew’s comfort
Crews can spend weeks away from shore, and their comfort depends on how well on-board systems work. Reliable sanitary facilities are central to hygiene, well-being and comfort. A toilet that flushes every time may seem small compared to the scale of the ship, but it is a crucial part of daily life at sea.
- Nobody thinks about toilets when they are working at sea, they just want them to work every time. For the crew, this reliability is highly appreciated, says Koblischke.
Setting the course for the future
Shipping is under increasing pressure to use resources more efficiently and cut emissions. Sanitary systems are only one small piece of the puzzle, but water and energy savings quickly add up across a fleet. Vacuum sanitary systems in combination with the chemical-free Ecomotive® sewage treatment plant by JETS, give shipowners a practical step toward lower operating costs and reduced environmental footprint.
- Choosing Jets® vacuum sanitary systems is one of those practical steps that can help owners reduce their environmental footprint without adding complexity, both related to todays and tomorrow’s requirements, states Koblischke.
Read more about the Ecomotive® sewage treatment plant by JETS
MARPOL Annex IV, which covers sewage discharge from ships, is currently under revision. The updated requirements are expected to introduce more detailed reporting, stricter performance testing, and higher expectations for the technology installed on board.
- We do not yet know how the new regulations will turn out, but we do know that this will affect the industry. At JETS, we are paying close attention to the ongoing revision because we know this will affect us and our customers. It will require changes to be done, but luckily; innovation has always been the core of JETS. Optimising and updating our products are an important part of our business.
Beneficial for both owners and crew – and the planet
For cargo vessels of all types, having a Jets® vacuum sanitary systems on-board means having a reliable and efficient system. It reduces water-use and space requirements, supports smooth operations, and contributes to the well-being of the crew. In a shipping industry increasingly focused on efficiency and sustainability, these systems provide practical benefits for both ships and those who operate them.