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 completed its revision of guidance on this testing, which is intended to validate the installation of a BWMS by demonstrating that its mechanical, physical, chemical and biological processes are working properly.
Additionally, the Sub-Committee began its review of the IMO Biofouling Guidelines, which provide a globally consistent approach to the management of biofouling (the accumulation of various aquatic organisms on ships’ hulls). The Sub-Committee identified key elements that require further attention and discussion, considered areas for potential revision of the Guidelines, and established a correspondence group on the review of the Biofouling Guidelines, to progress the relevant work and facilitate more effective deliberations at PPR 8.
IMO is executing the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloFouling Partnerships project which aims to drive actions to implement the Biofouling Guidelines.
To read the entire summary on PPRC 7 overview go to http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/MeetingSummaries/PPR/Pages/PPR-7th-Session.aspx
About Choice Ballast Solutions
Choice Ballast Solutions supports the shipowner in all phases of your ballast water management planning and retrofit projects — delivering the most effective installation and compliance project oversite through the lifecycle of a vessel. NETSCo, a sister-company to Choice Ballast Solutions, collaborate together to offer a comprehensive solution for ballast water treatment. NETSCo and Choice offer a blend of theoretical engineering and practical experience with first-hand knowledge of ballast water management systems, IMO and USCG regulations, and extensive vessel survey and retrofit experience. Go to https://choiceballast.com/about-us/
