The challenges surrounding the adoption of ballast water management systems have not really changed but several subtle differences and the best way of dealing with the changes were highlighted by Intertanko Deputy Managing Director, Joe Angelo, the keynote speaker at a event on Ballast Water Management which held during Posidonia last week.
Mr. Angelo noted IMO is now recalculating the tonnage requirements for ratification of the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) on a monthly basis. The most recent
figures for June indicate the percentage of the world’s GT that
would be included for the ratification was at 34.83%. While this figure does not seem like much of a change from the previous one, said Angelo, the key point is that two countries are “extremely close” to ratifying, Peru and Finland, which have 0.04% and 0.14% GT respectively.
If they do ratify, it would tip the balance giving a total of 35.01%, Angelo highlighted. “If this moves the way IMO thinks it will, both of those countries are expected to ratify the
treaty some time this month, which means it could very well come into force one year from June,” Angelo warned.
Given these variables, Angelo suggested a sensible course of action for shipowners would be to firstly research all the ballast water management system manufacturers and the available technologies appropriate for their vessels, as well as “secure shipyard slot availability for when you might most likely need it for the installation process and start scheduling ahead of time”
The next step would be to go to the USCG and request an extension from their earlier timeframe implementation programme before waiting and monitoring when the 35% level is actually breached. At this point the strategy would be to go to the flag state to issue a new certificate and then wait for the right system to be approved by the USCG before finally installing it, Angelo recommended.
Source: Posidonia daily news
