On July 31, 2019, the USCG published the long-awaited draft policy paper on Acceptance of Type Approval Testing Protocols for Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) that Render Organisms in Ballast Water Nonviable. The policy paper describes the standard and the process for acceptance and use of new protocols. The “Instructions for Submitting Testing Protocols” outlines […]

The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority released a Circular (SHIPPING CIRCULAR NO. 09 OF 2019) for shipowners and operators regarding the new IMO guidance for the commissioning testing of newly installed ballast water management systems (BWMS) for Singapore Registered Ships (SRS). The purpose of the commissioning test is to verify that the mechanical, physical, chemical […]

The EPA will offer a webinar on the details of VIDA requirements on May 15, 2019 and a listening session with webinar, a focus on specific discharges and an opportunity for public input on May 29-30, 2019 at Kings Point, NY.

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a release stating it has reconsidered its stance on ‘next scheduled drydocking date’ for ballast water management systems (BWMS) compliance. As stated in the bulletin, “Vessels that have received an extension of the ballast water compliance date that was stipulated as the “first scheduled drydock after (date)” and subsequently experience […]

Effective January 22, 2019 the China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA) will enforce it’s ballast water regulations for all foreign-Flagged vessels that come into Chinese waters. China MSA ratified the BWM Convention in 2018 so requirements for compliance are, for the most part, those of the IMO BWM Convention. One of the differences in the […]

Ship owners must take care if they are to avoid buying and installing ballast water management systems with high flaw rates. Stevie Knight of Motorship magazine explores recently exposed reliability challenges [with shipyards choosing & installing ballast water management systems (BWMS)]. DiCianna notes that when Choice Ballast has carried out inspections on failures, one of […]

An update regarding a notification from October 10, 2018 indicating that EPA would be late in reissuing the 2013 VGP guidelines and issued new deadlines for Notices of Intent (NOI) for coverage under that permit (as reported by the Choice blog, click here). The update states that as a result of VIDA, NOIs can be […]

The list of Ballast Water Management Systems approved by the USCG now offers has a complete range of treatment technologies and ballast water flow rates options. The Marine Safety Center issued the 14th U.S. Coast Guard Ballast Water Management System Type Approval Certificate to Panasia Co., Ltd. The treatment technology of the GloEn-Patrol BWMS consists of filtration […]

The 2013 Vessel General Permit will not be reissued prior to its December 18, 2018 expiration date but will be administratively continued and remain in effect until a new permit is issued (tentatively scheduled for Spring 2019). For vessels currently without permit coverage the EPA strongly encourages owners/operators of eligible vessels to seek permit coverage […]

The GloFouling Partnerships project – a collaboration between the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) – is a new international program set in place to review and recommend regulations to lessen the transfer of invasive organisms that contaminate pipes and other underwater surfaces. According to […]