The U.S. Coast Guard issued its 26th Ballast Water Management System Type Approval Certificate to BAWAT A/S. The treatment technology of the BAWAT BWMS MK2 consists of heat treatment during ballasting, de-ballasting, or internal transfers. This approval covers models with maximum intake treatment rated capacities between 50 m3/h and 5,000 m3/h. A complete list of […]

The sub-committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPRC) met from February 17 – 21, 2020 and agreed on revised guidance on commissioning testing of ballast water management systems (BWMS). An amendment to regulation E-1 of the BWM Convention, which is expected to be adopted by MEPC 75, mandates the commissioning testing of BWMS. The Sub-Committee […]

Transport Canada (TC) seeks to further reduce the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species by vessels by amending their Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations. TC proposes to apply the regulations to domestic and foreign vessels, including those operating in the Great Lakes Basin (i.e. upstream of St. Lambert lock). In the case of […]

“The end of US Coast Guard’s Alternate Management System (AMS) program for ballast water discharges means owners whose systems are not USCG Type Approved should seek an extension or risk losing the ability to trade in US waters.” “Extensions to the AMS acceptance period, reviewed on a case-by-case basis, could give shipowners permission to continue […]

Currently, 58 Makers have submitted a Letter of Intent, with 30 applications in process and 21 have been issued Type Approval Certificates. “There is no set timeline for issuing a type approval certificate,” Baldassini reminded conference attendees. “The type approval timeline begins once MSC receives a complete application, as defined in the regulations, and the […]

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 […]