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  The draft 2018 VGP will not be published by expiration of the 2013 VGP on December 18, 2018.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 […]

Captain Jennifer F. Williams, Director of Inspections and Compliance for the U.S. Coast Guard, address about 250 members of the international shipping community last month during Korea Maritime Week. Williams presentation was part of a three-part Ballast Water Forum session titled “Challenges and tasks for the smooth implementation of the Ballast Water Convention.” Williams’s remarks centered […]

The UK has not yet ratified the Convention but is currently drafting the legislation that will allow compliance to the Convention to take place. An FAQ was released 11 July 2018 that includes: What ships must comply to the Convention Survey and Certification requirements Can ballast water exchange be done in UK waters D2 implementation […]

A communication has been sent to the IMO from the Regional Activity Centre/Regional Marine Pollution Emergency, Information and Training Centre – Wider Caribbean Region  which include: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, […]

Expert thinking on the gender perspective in leadership Industry leaders were asked, “Given the ongoing discussion for the role of women in shipping, do you think that we need more females in leadership roles or more leaders acting on a female mode and why?” In addition to Debra DiCianna, Senior Compliance Engineer at Choice Ballast […]

“The Coast Guard is increasing its focus on enforcement and compliance,” stated Rear Adm. John Nadeau.  “. . . we are actively enforcing the requirement. Every domestic and Port State Control exam assesses compliance, and failure of the exam may result in penalties. Marine inspectors will verify crew knowledge of the equipment, examine the condition […]

 Rear Adm. John Nadeau, assistant commandant for prevention policy, speaks about the role of the regulator in the context of ballast water management regulations. In 2017, Port State Control examiners documented 220 ballast water management deficiencies. Most were related to incomplete record keeping, lack of a sufficient ballast water management plan, or discharge of untreated ballast […]

Debra DiCianna, Senior Compliance Engineer at Choice Ballast Solutions (Choice) is a featured speaker at the 6th annual Ballast Water Workshop in Hamburg (30 May) and Leer, Germany (31 May) for the German Shipowners Association (VDR). Debra will present, “Navigating Compliance in the U.S. and BWMS Options.”

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted down the Coast Guard reauthorization bill that contained a provision exempting ships’ ballast water from Clean Water Act regulations. Read the entire article at the Duluth News Tribune.    

Intertanko has published a guide to contingency options when ballast water treatment is not an option. The 19-page guide, Ballast Water Contingency Measures for Tankers, is now available to the public. Download guide here.

Choice Ballast Solutions (Choice) is pleased to announce the launch of our new website! Our goal with this newly designed site is to create an informative and user-friendly experience for our many valued clients and business contacts. The website can be visited at www.choiceballast.com. The uncluttered website design is easy to navigate with improved menu […]

By Debra DiCianna, Senior Compliance Engineer, Choice Ballast Solutions Last week at MEPC 72 was monumental due to the adoption of the Initial IMO Strategy on reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from ships. At the same time, the ballast water review group continued work on topics important to the type approval of ballast water […]

Referring to a revised Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular, NVIC 01-18, that replaces one issued in 2004, Paul Gunton, Editor of the Ballast Water Treatment Technology magazine writes, “Ms DiCianna explained that one of the circular’s main implications is that compliance extensions for ballast water management systems (BWMSs) require additional documentation.” He added that Debra commented […]

On March 7, The USCG posted further insight on NVIC 01-18.  The main points emphasized: No extensions will be granted to a vessel with an installed alternate management system (AMS) and no extensions will be granted to install an AMS. However, the Coast Guard will consider granting extensions to vessels that intend to install a […]

On 1 March 2018, RADM Nadeau signed Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) NVIC Ballast Water Management for Control of Non-Indigenous Species in Waters of the United States (NVIC 01‑18) replacing the 2004 NVIC.  The NVIC is updated guidance on all aspects of ballast water management (BWM) in US waters and provides information on interactions […]

by Debra DiCianna, Senior Compliance Engineer Recently, the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessels Safety published CG-CVC Policy Letter 18-02. This Policy Letter provides guidelines for inoperable ballast water management systems (BWMS) bound for U.S. ports. This is welcomed information from the USCG; however, it does not cover some of the long-term problems experienced […]

The USCG has issued guidelines for the courses of action for a vessel bound for a port in the US with an inoperable BWMS. This guidance will apply to all ships that either use a USCG approved BWMS or an AMS approved BWMS as well as Coast Guard personnel when evaluating potential courses of action […]

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The Green Ship Technology North America Conference will join with Shipping2030 to co-host experts from around the globe to speak on green ship design, green small ports and the new global environmental regulatory requirements for emission and ballast water treatment. John P. Dooley, President of Choice Ballast Solutions, is a featured speaker at the event […]

On the opening day of London International Shipping week, INTERTANKO is hosting a lunchtime seminar at the offices of Norton Rose Fulbright entitled: Ballast Water – life after entry into force. INTERTANKO’s Environment Director, Tim Wilkins, will first of all provide a summary of how the entry into force of IMO’s BWM Convention will impact […]

Due to industry requests, USCG shares complete Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) type approval certificates on USCG Environmental Homeport Ballast Water website. To view the certificates and supporting documentation for operational limitations for the Alfa Laval, Optimarin and Oceansaver BWMS go to :   http://homeport.uscg.mil/ballastwater Scroll down to left sidebar for ‘Type Approvals’ link. Go to ‘New Approved […]

Choice Ballast Solutions (Choice), a global provider of ballast water treatment planning, installation and compliance, is pleased to announce the hiring of Debra DiCianna as Senior Compliance Engineer. DiCianna’s career in the maritime industry spans over 25 years with extensive experience in the compliance and operational issues of shipowners and the design/performance of ballast water […]