Protecting Seas & Oceans
Bilge Water Treatment
Bilgewater disposal is a critical challenge for all ships, including container ships, oil tankers, and freighters. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) mandates that bilgewater can only be discharged if its oil content is below 15 ppm. GEA bilge Separators not only meet but significantly exceed this requirement, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Additionally, the recovered oil can be repurposed for various applications, making the process both efficient and sustainable.
What is bilgewater?
Bilgewater forms from leaks of saltwater, cooling water, fuel oil, and lube oil, as well as from draining sedimentation and sludge tanks, cleaning processes, and accumulated soot and dirt. The IMO (International Maritime Organization) mandates that before bilgewater can be discharged into the sea, its oil content must be reduced to below 15 ppm. However, traditional separation methods often fail to achieve this limit cost-effectively.
Reducing oil content to <5 ppm
15 ppm without a filter
GEA has set a new benchmark in bilgewater treatment. Our GEA bilge Separators with integrated direct drive achieve residual oil content of 15 ppm across all performance classes – without the need for an additional adsorption filter or chemicals. This is made possible by:
- Optimized product feed into the bowl and disk stack for gentler processing.
- Increased clarifying area for superior oil-water separation.
5 ppm with a filter
As global environmental regulations tighten – especially in ecologically sensitive areas – many shipping companies now require bilgewater with residual oil content below 5 ppm. GEA meets these stricter standards with optional filtration add-ons, ensuring compliance with even the most demanding national and international regulations.
Recycled oil: a cost-effective & sustainable advantage
Unlike traditional separation methods that require expensive chemicals, frequent manual cleaning, or filter replacements, the GEA bilge Separator system offers:
- Self-cleaning & fully automated operation – requires no additional personnel.
- Economic efficiency – recovered oil can be reused as fuel.
- Environmental sustainability – reduces hazardous waste and chemical usage.
Invest in a sustainable, cost-effective bilgewater treatment solution.
Products & Technologies
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Centrifugal Separator
GEA separators are designed for liquid-based applications. Using centrifugal force, they are used for separating suspensions consisting of two or more phases of different densities, i.e. they can be used for liquid-liquid separation, for liquid-liquid-solid separation or for liquid-solid separation. They are equally as effective at separating liq...
Hygienic valves & components
Hygienic valves from GEA form the core component of matrix-piped process plants. Thanks to a pioneering valve concept that sets standards for its flexibility, as well as the latest control and automation functions, our valves offer manufacturers maximum product safety and process reliability. All GEA hygienic valves are designed to be efficient a...
Water Treatment Systems
Water treatment on the high seas must meet strict economic, technical, and environmental regulations. GEA provides advanced, IMO-compliant systems that protect marine ecosystems while ensuring cost-effective, smooth operations for ship owners and operators.
Other applications
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GEA Insights
GEA reports profitable growth for 2025 and expects accelerated revenue growth
GEA’s past fiscal year was one of significant growth and further profitability gains. In particular, the technology group substantially increased order intake, with all divisions contributing here. GEA also made progress in all Mission 30 strategic growth areas. In addition, GEA met key interim targets under its climate plan ahead of schedule. Major milestones in fiscal year 2025 were admission to the DAX index, the award of one of the largest contracts in the company’s history, and streamlining of the corporate structure.
How SmartParc is rewriting the rules of food production
Thanks to a new SmartParc manufacturing site, food processors in the U.K. are cutting their running costs and emissions. With GEA heating and cooling technology at its core, this collaborative production model demonstrates how innovation is accelerating the industry’s net-zero ambitions.
The food science playground
“Brewing eggs is like brewing beer.” It’s the kind of comparison that makes you smile – and then it clicks: Something complex suddenly feels simple. Through this personal film, set in the agricultural heartland of the U.S., we explore precision fermentation and the real-world work it takes to turn an idea into food.
