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Volume 14
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10.3390/jmse14020154
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Three-Dimensional Scanning-Based Retrofitting of Ballast Water Treatment Systems for Enhanced Marine Environmental Protection

by
Zoe Kanetaki
1,*,
Giakouvakis Athanasios Iason
1,
Panagiotis Karvounis
2,
Gerasimos Theotokatos
2,
Evangelos Boulougouris
2 and
Constantinos Stergiou
1
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of West Attica, 12241 Athens, Greece
2
Maritime Safety Research Centre, Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean, and Marine Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0LZ, UK
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(2), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14020154
Submission received: 25 November 2025 / Revised: 29 December 2025 / Accepted: 9 January 2026 / Published: 11 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
Versions Notes

Abstract

This study investigates the integration of 3D laser scanning technology in the retrofitting of Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS) on existing commercial vessels, addressing the global challenge of invasive aquatic species. The methodology combines a bibliometric analysis of keywords—indicating recent trends and knowledge gaps, a feasibility study, and detailed engineering design with on-site supervision. A case study is presented on a crude oil tanker, employing a multi-station 3D scanning strategy across the engine and pump rooms—performed using 63 and 45 scan positions, respectively. These data were processed with removal filters and integrated into specialized CAD software for detailed piping design. The implementation of high-fidelity point clouds served as the digital foundation for modeling the vessel’s existing piping infrastructure and retrofitting with the installation of an electrolysis-based BWTS. Results confirm that 3D scanning enables precise spatial analysis, minimizes retrofitting errors, reduces installation time, and ensures regulatory compliance with the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention. By digitally capturing complex onboard environments, the approach enhances accuracy, safety, and cost-effectiveness in maritime engineering projects. This work underscores the transition toward point cloud-based digital twins as a standard for sustainable and efficient ship conversions in the global shipping industry.
Keywords: 3D point clouds; Autodesk Recap Scan; Ballast Water Treatment System; marine ecosystem; environmental sustainability; retrofit 3D point clouds; Autodesk Recap Scan; Ballast Water Treatment System; marine ecosystem; environmental sustainability; retrofit

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MDPI and ACS Style

Kanetaki, Z.; Athanasios Iason, G.; Karvounis, P.; Theotokatos, G.; Boulougouris, E.; Stergiou, C. Three-Dimensional Scanning-Based Retrofitting of Ballast Water Treatment Systems for Enhanced Marine Environmental Protection. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14, 154. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14020154

AMA Style

Kanetaki Z, Athanasios Iason G, Karvounis P, Theotokatos G, Boulougouris E, Stergiou C. Three-Dimensional Scanning-Based Retrofitting of Ballast Water Treatment Systems for Enhanced Marine Environmental Protection. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2026; 14(2):154. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14020154

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kanetaki, Zoe, Giakouvakis Athanasios Iason, Panagiotis Karvounis, Gerasimos Theotokatos, Evangelos Boulougouris, and Constantinos Stergiou. 2026. "Three-Dimensional Scanning-Based Retrofitting of Ballast Water Treatment Systems for Enhanced Marine Environmental Protection" Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 14, no. 2: 154. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14020154

APA Style

Kanetaki, Z., Athanasios Iason, G., Karvounis, P., Theotokatos, G., Boulougouris, E., & Stergiou, C. (2026). Three-Dimensional Scanning-Based Retrofitting of Ballast Water Treatment Systems for Enhanced Marine Environmental Protection. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 14(2), 154. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14020154

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