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 […]

Choice Ballast Solutions (Choice), a sister company of Northeast Technical Services Co., Inc (NETSCo), is excited to announce a company-wide restructuring to more accurately reflect the relationship between the two companies and better serve the maritime industry. In 2013, Choice was formed with the singular focus of bringing superior project management and compliance consulting to […]

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 […]

In early 2019, Scorpio Tankers chose Choice Ballast Solution to assist as the integration engineering firm for 55 planned ballast water management system retrofits, scheduled to take place over the next five years Recently, Ballast Water Treatment Technology’s annual guide published a case study of the BWMS installation on board Scorpio Tanker’s sister ships STI […]

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.

In cooperation with sister company NETSCo, CHOICE Ballast Solutions (CHOICE) is pleased to announce that there are more than 30 ballast water management system (BWMS) projects in varying stages of completion. CHOICE together with NETSCo are positioned to become one of the top BWMS planning, compliance consulting and installation resources worldwide. CHOICE provides end-to-end BWMS solutions […]

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 […]

Complying with the latest environmental regulations has never been more important! Debra DiCianna, Senior Compliance Engineer at Choice Ballast Solutions (Choice) will be speaking at the Scrubbers and Ballast Water Systems for Superintendents and Ship Managers on March 13, 2019 in Limassol, Cyprus. More than 170 ship managers and industry experts plan to be in […]

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 […]

In preparation for feasibility studies and engineering designs and drawings, Choice is proud to announce the completion of a series of scrubber and ballast water management engineering surveys and 3D laser scans for major shipowners in the maritime industry. John P. Dooley, President of Choice said, “The integration of a scrubber is a major conversion […]

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 […]

The United States (U.S.) will be changing regulation of discharges from vessels, including ballast water. The law will reauthorize U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) programs including major changes to US ballast water management (BWM) regulations and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Vessel General Permit – through the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA).  The bill was signed […]

The United States Coast Guard has type approved the Hyundai Heavy Industries’ HiBallast ballast water management system. HiBallast is a side stream system combined with filter and electrolysis unit. The new HiBallast system is the second ballast water treatment system that Hyundai Heavy has developed. In addition, DESMI Ocean Guard and Wartsila Water Systems have submitted applications […]

The International Maritime Organization 73rd Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 73) meeting was a busy session with most of the focus on the 2020 Sulfur Cap date and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions. Significant actions were taken for ballast water management as well as some new discussions for the marine industry.  A summary of the resulting […]

Choice Ballast Solutions (Choice) announced their expanded collaboration with Scorpio Ship Management S.A.M., as agent for certain vessel-owning subsidiaries of Scorpio Tankers Inc., by contracting to provide turn-key integration engineering and project management services for ballast water management system installations on board an additional 39 vessels. The previous contract with Scorpio Tankers on twelve ships […]

The Department of State (DOS) issued a notice stating that an open meeting will be held on 18 October in Washington, DC to prepare for the upcoming session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 73). Topics on the agenda include harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water; air pollution and energy efficiency; and reduction of […]

During BWMTech North America, Mr. Jack Faulk, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) addressed the expiration of the current 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) and the release of the 2018 VGP.  The draft 2018 VGP will not be published by expiration of the 2013 VGP on December 18, 2018.  The EPA has determined that the 2013 […]

  Choice Ballast Solutions is proud to announce that Debra DiCianna will moderate a panel today on “Addressing Inoperability in BWM Systems.” On 27 September she will give a case study presentation titled, “Ensure your Installed BWMS is the Type Approved Model and Meets Regulatory Requirements.” If you are unable to attend the BWMTech North […]

On October 1, 2018 the Coast Guard is eliminating the requirement for certain vessels that operate on voyages exclusively within a single Captain of the Port Zone to submit an Annual Ballast Water Summary Report for calendar year 2018. We view this current reporting requirement as unnecessary for us to analyze and understand ballast water […]

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Center issued the 10th Ballast Water Management System Type Approval Certificate to Wartsila Water Systems, Ltd.  After a detailed review of the manufacturer’s type approval application, the MSC determined the system met the requirements of 46 CFR 162.060. The treatment principle of the Wartsila Aquarius EC BWMS consists of filtration with electrolysis […]

Choice Ballast Solutions is pleased to announce that Debra DiCianna is participating on the panel, “Preparing for Ballast Water Treatment” at the SMM Global Maritime Environmental Congress workshop on 5 September 2018. We are looking forward to seeing you at SMM!

For the most part, U.S. or foreign Flag vessels equipped with ballast tanks that have performed a ballast operation in the United States must submit a Ballast Water Management Report to the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC), in most cases up to six hours after arrival. As part of the report, ship operators must indicate […]

Choice Ballast Solutions was recently contracted by Scorpio Ship Management S.A.M., as agent for certain vessel-owning subsidiaries of Scorpio Tankers Inc. to provide Engineering and Project Management to retrofit the Ecochlor ballast water management system (BWMS) on 12 of their vessels. The engineering is underway, and retrofits are scheduled to commence during each vessel’s next […]