GRE (Glass Reinforced Epoxy/ Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) piping is a mature and increasingly popular choice in ship ballast water systems, especially in newbuilding and retrofit projects.

Key Advantages of GRE Piping

1. Excellent Corrosion Resistance:

Core Advantage: Ballast water contains seawater, sediment, and microorganisms, making it highly corrosive. GRE piping is inherently non-corrosive, 

eliminating the need for internal coatings or cathodic protection and completely avoiding the issues of rust and perforation common in steel pipes.

Low Maintenance Cost: Over its entire lifecycle, it requires almost no repair or replacement due to corrosion, drastically reducing maintenance efforts (such as descaling and painting) and costs.

2. Light Weight:

The density of GRE is only about one-quarter that of steel. In extensive ballast water systems that run throughout the ship, 

weight reduction positively impacts the vessel's stability and deadweight, contributing to improved energy efficiency and cargo capacity.

3. Superior Fluid Flow Characteristics:

Smooth Internal Surface: Low hydraulic friction coefficient reduces head loss, which can improve pumping efficiency or

allow for the use of smaller diameter pipes, further reducing weight and cost.

Resistance to Biofouling: The smooth surface hinders the adhesion of marine organisms and sediment, helping to maintain flow capacity and better aligning 

with the performance requirements of modern Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS).

4. Ease of Installation:

Utilizes bell-and-spigot adhesive joints or flanged connections, eliminating the need for welding and the associated risks and costs of hot work. 

Installation is faster and requires relatively lower skill levels from workers.

Piping sections can be prefabricated as needed and assembled on-site.

5. Long Service Life:

The designed service life typically exceeds 25 years, matching the vessel's lifecycle well.