Exclusive interview with Mr. Ingo Eden of Deerberg-Systems, the leader in waste management systems for the marine industry at all levels.

EY - Please introduce yourself and your company.

My name is Ingo Eden, Manager of Marketing Services of Deerberg-Systems, the world-wide leading supplier of environmental protection/waste handling systems onboard ships. With market led innovation Deerberg has set the pace for environmental standards for 30 years.

The-Deerberg-Multi-Purpose-Waste-Management-System MPWMS® is designed to provide owners with integrated solutions fulfilling world-wide strictest regulations and is acknowledged to be the most reliable technology for maritime waste management. The MPWMS® includes solutions for solid-food & wet-waste, bioresidues, sludge oil, and recyclables.



With 156 large passenger vessels, 66 navy vessels, 26 super yachts, 10 special and more than 600 merchant vessels equipped, Deerberg maintains the pole-position in maritime waste treatment.

EY - What kind of solutions can you offer for the modern superyacht in terms of waste treatment?

We have specially developed the Deerberg Yacht Line program which caters to the specific needs of superyachts. Deerberg Yacht Line includes solutions for the handling of solid waste, food & wet-waste, recyclables and waste water. 

Solid waste is normally handled with compactors. We can of course offer a variety of different types e.g. with cooling or different finishings. We have also installed incinerators on very large yachts but normally this is not appropriate.

Food waste is managed with our latest development the DEVATEC® Combi Food Waste Vacuum System. The food waste is fed into number of decantralised maceration stations and then sucked by vaccum to a next processing station. The food waste is either dewatered and stored in a tank or directly bagged for later onshore landing.

Recyclables like glass, tins, paper, cardboard or plastic are treated with shredders, compactors or crushers to reduce the volume. The treated recyclables are stored and then given to reception facilities for recycling.

Waste water is treated with a modern membrane bioreactor according to the latest IMO MEPC 159(55) standards. Grey and black water are prescreened and treated. The residues from the process are stored in a tank and together with the screened solids discharged to shore.

All systems and components are of course designed to fit into the limited space environment on board yachts. The machinery finish is according to highest standards. Otherwise we would not be able to fulfil the expectations of owners and yards. As Deerberg offers bespoke systems we are taking into consideration the individual needs of each yacht.

Up to now Deerberg has equipped yachts from 50 to 165 meters. Each of them equipped with an individual arrangement of recycling components, food waste systems, compactors etc. depending on the size of the ship and the number of guests and crew on board.

EY – Are your systems able to be installed in a modular format to accommodate limited mechanical spaces? This is especially a concern for smaller yachts.

Smaller yachts of course need less equipment as less guests and crew are on board.  Generally the possible fitting depends on the layout of the vessel and the size of the machinery space. The equipment is already small but it will depend on the team work between builder and probably owner to provide the space for adequate equipment. In addition Deerberg is currently working on a row of equipment in its yacht line program to even better fit production yachts.

In general we are of course open for any request and if the owner or builder has a special need we are open to engineer and design a solution.

EY – Are your systems built for ease of installation and maintenance?

The systems/components are built with the renowned Deerberg quality. As the ships are cruising on all seven seas the equipment must be easy to operate and maintain and reliable in use. With the proposed preventive maintenance and a set of spares onboard, the crew have normally no problem in the long run.

Normally we are installing the equipment together with the builder. On most of the yachts it is difficult to refit any equipment as the space is just not there. It must be seen from case to case whether space can be provided and equipment refitted. If there is space we normally find a way together with the yard to fit the equipment – again, its all team work.

EY – What are your most popular selling products for yachts?

Popular are of course compactors and food waste systems and, for the future, we believe waste water systems.

EY - In the 2010 the new MARPOL MEPC 159(55) waste water requirements will become effective. Do you believe that the yacht industry is ready for this change especially regarding existing and older yachts?

From our discussions we have seen that some builders are not prepared yet, others are forward thinking and provide the necessary space in their latest newbuild design. Compared to the old dilution principle systems these modern types require more technical area so designs have to be changed.
We try to advise the yards to include the whole environmental protection and sustainability debate in their sales pitch to the yacht buyer. A person or company investing these amounts of money into an asset should make sure that all major systems are cutting edge and fulfil today’s and tomorrow’s requirements. Especially if you are moving your asset into environmentally sensitive areas. A yacht is supposed to make the owner independent so the yacht must be equipped with technology which is enabling this independence.

The environmental equipment must be taken into consideration on the same level like other amenities. It cannot be the question "if" you are installing environmental protection equipment, but only "what" are you installing.

We design our systems together with yards and owners to really fulfil their needs regarding operational freedom. If you want to be e.g. three weeks independent from onshore reception facilities you must provide the necessary space. There is no other way around it. That is e.g. the problem on older yachts. Normally there is no or not much space to refit any modern equipment. It then depends on the will of the owner to waive certain amenities and install green equipment.

EY - You have recently participated in Enviro-Yacht 2009. How was the response from the industry regarding new environmentally friendly tecnologies?

We have had a very good response from the market. But it is still a long way. Like I explained in the former answer there are some builders and owners who are prepared already, others are not yet considering this type of equipment to the level we would like to see it. But we are working on convincing all players and we are sure that in the near future there is not question to have such equipment onboard.

In other maritime industries you need a certain drive from the market and from the outside to get these discussions off the ground. The design and engineering as well as the price for suitable equipment will depend on the interaction and cooperation of all parties involved.

EY – Has your client base in the yacht sector grown significantly in recent years? 

We have seen a steady growth over the past years but this whole IMO MEPC waste water debate is really giving it a push now. The industry is forced to consider environmental technology more than before. The more this debate is in our minds the better solutions will come on the table. We are confident that we will see a drastic movement towards sustainable and environmentally friendly yachts soon.

EY - Technology, Information and Training. Which one of these sectors are more important to achieve the total green compatibility of the industry?

They are all equally important and none would work without the other. I even would add exchange of experience and practice. The feedback from the daily operation is a key element to design equipment and adjust it more and more to the conditions onboard.

The equipment must be highly integrated into the ships systems – that’s the cutting edge technology. Information and training are required to optimally use the equipment and make sure that the intended purpose is fulfilled. But information means also that the crew is aware why these systems are on board and that “being green” is no option but a conviction. So the use and maintenance of the equipment is something to operate the yacht according to international rules and regulations (like the new IMO MEPC regulation) but also to fulfil the owners own environmental credo. The crew must understand why these systems are important and why proper operation, regular maintenance and emission control is key. As a yacht owner you surely don’t want to be talked about like “hey look at them, big shots with a super yacht but no feeling for the environment or their responsibility for it”. The bigger the yacht – the bigger the impact – the bigger the responsibility.

Right now we have a bottom up approach – we as a supplier are trying to influence the market from our end. We are there if the owners are pressing to get the top notch environmental equipment – like a competition who’s the greenest. Something that is already existing today for size, engines or entertainment amenities.

But also from your initiative, Ecoyachts, we see that it is the right time now as the environment is in the media and in our heads. The new generation has no option but to do everything to protect the environment in which they and their families want to live in future.