Progress and Key Issues in the Review of the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) Significant progress was made during the MEPC 80th session in reviewing the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC). To ensure an organized and practical review, the Convention Review Plan (CRP) was established, outlining the scope and objectives of the process. Key outcomes […]

Invasive aquatic species pose a major threat to our oceans through biofouling on ships! At the 80th session of the IMO’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 80) has adopted more stringent guidelines for controlling and managing biofouling on ships. The update to the 2011 Guidelines was undertaken to improve uptake and enforcement and to reduce […]

The Department of State announced that it will conduct a public meeting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, both in-person at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC, and via Microsoft Teams. The primary purpose of the meeting is to prepare for the 10th session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Pollution Prevention and […]

Various proposals for amendments and unified interpretations were discussed at MEPC in correlation to the guidelines of the BWM Convention. Operational matters regarding the implementation of the BWM Convention were also under consideration. Two additional BWMSs were type approved at this meeting pending the outcome of GESAMP-BWWG 42. BWMS guidance on BWM in challenging waters […]

Choice Ballast Solutions is packed up and ready to go to the next assignment – as Authorized Service Partners for BIO-SEA, ECOCHLOR, and DESMI – Choice Ballast Solutions is on-call with to assist these BWMS manufacturers with service, installation or commissioning projects across the United States.  https://choiceballast.com/authorized-service-partners/

Choice Ballast Solutions has recently completed an Ecochlor BWMS installation on the “Battle Amy”!

There was a lot going on in the maritime industry last week as a larger than expected crowd networked at exhibition stands, participated in workshops and enjoyed a number of sporting events at Posidona 2022. Concurrently, the 78th Session of the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 78) was meeting virtually from, 6 – 10 June […]

In March 2022, the United States Coast Guard announced the availability of the Final Policy Letter describing type-approval testing methods, and the acceptance process for those methods, for ballast water management systems (BWMS). In the draft policy, the USCG did not describe the use of the existing testing method to test organism viability. However, in […]

Safety4Sea held an interview with Debra DiCianna of Choice Ballast Solutions for their Career Paths Column in regard to women in decision-making jobs in maritime, EPA, IMO and with other Administrations. Debra shared her journey as a leader in the marine industry. When asked about what excites her most in her job she responds, “my […]

Tackling climate change with a focus on the ever-challenging GHG emissions from ships was the focus of MEPC 77. Recognizing that the Committee needed to strengthen the existing initiative on the ‘IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG emissions from ships’ they invited Member States and International Organizations to send revised strategies for consideration at MEPC […]

After 15 June 2022, any ship entering, or with trade routes that have the intention to enter Australia, must have a Biofouling Management Plan and Record Book on hand. The documents require information about biofouling management and voyage history of the vessel over the past 12 months prior to entering Australian territory. According to the […]

California State Lands Commission adopts federal ballast water discharge standards and is hosting two webinars about changes in the regulations that will become effective on January 1, 2022. See below for dates and description of the webinars. November 18, 2021, 10-11:00 a.m. Provide information about the new requirements. December 16, 2021, 10-11:00 a.m. Provide further […]

“Choice Ballast Solutions (Choice) is developing Ballast Water Management Plans (BWMPs) and Biofouling Management Plans for the entire Carnival Fleet – 24 cruise ships – including the new MARDI GRAS.  Over 20 BWMPs have been provided at this time.  The Choice BWMP template is streamlined and clearly specifies the requirements, addresses any BWMS special issues […]

There was a lot of movement going on in the ballast water management system (BWMS) marketplace early this month with the acquisition of Calgon Carbon Corporations UV Technologies Division, which included Hyde Marine BWMS, by De Nora. With this procurement De Nora will be able to expand their BWMS product line by combining their BALPURE […]

The Ballastwater Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEMA) has prepared a Position Statement to “…present technical information and considerations from the treatment system manufacturer and system component supplier perspectives.” “BEMA and its Members are keen to ensure that BWMS installed on ships trading worldwide are installed correctly, and operate reliably and safely. BWMS equipment will deliver compliant […]

In an article, “Act Now or Face the Consequences” Clean Shipping International talked to several leading ballast water management system (BWMS) players to hear their views on testing, the G8 rules and the forthcoming IMO meetings. Debra DiCianna, Senior Compliance Engineer, explained the role of G8 and the additional testing soon to be required at […]

INTERTANKO (the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners) initiated a survey covering occurrences from 1 July 2019 to 5 April 2021 identifying port waters that challenged the efficacy of a ship’s ballast water management system (BWMS). Of the 91 reports received from their members, 59 ports were identified with water conditions that can affect the […]

Speaking at a recent Riviera webinar “The BWMS market: crystal clear or murky waters, Debra DiCianna noted that ballast water treatment system was “the gift that keeps on giving.” … As Ms. DiCianna stated in the article written after the webinar, “compliance starts with the documentation. ‘The best way for you to have a compliant […]

Another successfully completed 3D scan by Choice Ballast Solutions! This one was on board the American Phoenix. The retrofit project will include three Alfa Laval ballast water management systems for their vessel. The scanning was done at Marcus Hook Anchorage just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA.

The BWMS market: crystal clear or murky waters?, part of the Ballast Water Webinar Week Wednesday 17th February at 14:00-14:45 GMT In support of Day 3 for the February Riviera Maritime Media Ballast Water Webinar Week, Choice Ballast Solutions will provide an update on which BWMS are available in the market and other information that […]

Choice Ballast Solutions and sister company, NETSCo completed a 3D scan and survey of the “Mantaro” in Lima, Peru in preparation of a ballast water management system (BWMS) retrofit. Choice uses sophisticated computerized modeling software to build a fully interactive 3D model of the vessel that is used to develop conceptual designs to aid in […]

Paul Mueller, Choice Ballast Solution (Choice) Service Manager is shown in the engine room finalizing the 3D scan and survey of the Mar Pacifico in preparation for the Desmi Ocean Guard A/S CompactClean ballast water management system (BWMS) retrofit. This 3D modeling project will demonstrate how the CompactClean system, and associated filters and piping, will […]

Senior compliance engineer Debra DiCianna discusses the EPA’s proposed performance standards for vessel incidental discharges in an OpEd posted on the Riviera Maritime Media website. “On 26 October 2020, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published proposed performance standards for vessel incidental discharges. The proposed rulemaking was the first step in moving from the Vessel […]

The latest Great Lakes / Seaway Review article concerning the inconsistency in environmental regulations in the Great Lakes was co-written by Debra DiCianna, Senior Compliance Engineer, Choice Ballast Solutions and Richard Mueller, President/CEO of NETSCo, Inc. with a focus on the expanded requirements in both the U.S. and Canada regarding ballast water management regulations. Excerpt: […]

On 7 December 2020, Debra DiCianna will speak at BWMTech Global. This virtual event organized by Maritime Informa Connect is highlighted as, “the world’s leading ballast water management conference helping you to achieve operational efficiency and continued compliance.” Ms. DiCianna’s presentation is, Understanding the EPA Proposed Performance Standards. To register, go to https://informaconnect.com/ballast-water-management-technology/agenda/download/

Excerpts from https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-releases-proposal-better-protect-ecosystems-incidental-discharges-marine-vessels (10/6/20) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed standards to reduce the environmental impact of discharges, such as ballast water, that are incidental to the normal operation of commercial vessels. When finalized, this new rule will streamline the current patchwork of federal, state, and local requirements that apply to the commercial vessel [...]

Choice Ballast Solutions (Choice) has completed their latest 3D scan project for Hyde Shipping in preparation for an upcoming retrofit of the Alfa Laval ballast water management system. The project has encompassed doing 3D scans onboard the vessel, a BWM Plan along with basic and detailed engineering designs in collaboration with sister company, NETSCo. Choice […]

The BWMS Code has specific requirements for BWMS testing, test reporting, type approval certificates, and control and monitoring. All BWMS installed onboard ships on or after 28 October 2020 will need to be approved in accordance with the BWMS Code (IMO Resolution MEPC.300(72).  The BWMS Code revokes the existing 2016 Guidelines (MEPC.279(70)) and previous guidelines […]

The USCG has issued its 34th Ballast Water Management System Type Approval to the Kuraray Microfade II BWTS. The treatment principle of the Kuraray MICROFADE II Ballast Water Treatment System consists of filtration with chemical injection treatment at uptake and neutralization during discharge. This approval covers six models with maximum treatment rated capacities between 250 m3/h and 2,000 […]

All BWMS installed onboard ships on or after 28 October, 2020 will need to be approved for use in accordance with the BWMS Code or 2016 Guidelines (New G8). It is in the shipowner’s best interests to find out how this might affect them. Removal or replacement of the BWMS installed before enforcement of the […]

Craig Jallal, Editor at Riviera Maritime Media asks the question, “Do OSVs [offshore vessels] require ballast water treatment systems?” Jallal answers this question in a recently published article for OSV magazine: “It is a frequently asked question, especially where the vessel only operates in the same area. While offshore vessels are unlikely to discharge as […]

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has voted to investigate a complaint from the Lake Carriers Association (LCA) that claims the proposed Transport Canada (an agency of the Government of Canada) ballast water regulations will discriminate against US flag vessel operators. In the petition, LCA alleges that Transport Canada has proposed regulations that would require their […]