Andrew Marshall, CEO, Coldharbour has responded to GREEN4SEA questions regarding ballast water developments by providing a brief recap of the current regulatory status and also giving advice to ship owners on how to take the correct decision for their BWTS.
GREEN4SEA: Do you think there was a significant success and/or progress made with respect to marine environment protection during 2016? Focusing on your area of expertise, what were the most important industry developments within 2016?
Andrew Marshall: It was a case of 3 steps forward, 2 steps backwards. Progress made with regards to ratification of the IMO convention and the dawn of a stronger, more reliable IMO G8 TA process was offset by yet more shilly-shallying in respect of timetables for implementation (MEPC 71 now?) and the creative efforts of owners to further delay the implementation of the convention – shockingly aided by some flag states and authorities who really should not be encouraging such behaviour!
G4S: Focusing on your area of expertise, what do you think that it will be the biggest marine environmental challenge(s) for the industry for the 2017?
A.M.: Ensuring that owners fully understand what they need to focus on when selecting a BWTS. Simply saying “hey it has a certificate, so it must work” is a recipe for disaster for owners. As the gentleman from the American P&I Club pointed out in his presentation last week “don’t think you can claim from us in the event of losses and delays caused by selecting the wrong kit! Remember, cheap is not necessarily a guarantee of success!
G4S: What would be the 2017 resolutions for your company/ organization? What are your goals and aspirations to enhance environmental excellence? Do you have any new projects on the pipeline and/or plans for 2017 that you would like to share?
A.M.: To continue to service our niche and to begin the other exciting environmental projects we have before us!
G4S: What is your overall forecast for the marine environmental developments in 2017 and what would you like to share and/or wish and/or ask other industry stakeholders?
A.M.: I think 2017 will be a difficult year. Not just financially (for many) but also there will be the beginnings of the realisation that selecting equipment (BWTS) is not simply a question of looking at the price tag. BWTS is an integral part of the vessel operations both mechanically AND FINACIALLY. The impact of the wrong decision will hurt owners far more greatly than even the initial costs of installing the equipment. Please owners, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and not necessarily those of GREEN4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
