Subscribe to our Mailing Lists (It's free!)
Saturday, June 21, 2025
SAFETY4SEA
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    fuel sampling

    Britannia: Key tips for sampling liquid cargo

    Maersk Israel

    Maersk suspends vessel calls at the Port of Haifa, Israel

    CMT

    CMT: Machinery failures and engine-room incidents are sharply rising

    Port of Rotterdam

    Cargo unloading results in two fatalities in the Port of Rotterdam

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

    time

    Stay SEAFiT: Time is non-renewable – invest it wisely

    public speaking

    8 Key rules of Public Speaking

    social media

    Mindfulness and social media: M.I.N.D. your media

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    fuel sampling

    Britannia: Key tips for sampling liquid cargo

    Aberdeen shore power

    Port of Aberdeen launches shore power project

    wind-assisted aframax

    Wind-assisted propulsion advances with new Aframax delivery

    shanghai port

    Shanghai Port orders 20,000-cubic-meter LNG bunkering vessel

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    imo autonomous shipping

    IMO in talks over autonomous shipping ahead of MSC 110

    The role of Maritime IT: Future trends and innovations

    Smart vessel embarks on its first journey in China

    ai-based shipyards

    New deal looks at the development of AI-based shipyards

    ai-based ship design

    Korean effort to develop AI-based solutions for ship design

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    oil theft nigeria

    Nigeria arrests 76 ships during two-year oil theft crackdown

    paris mou

    M/V Goldy Seven refused access to the Paris MoU

    detention

    Kerala High Court detains vessel in connection to previous incident

    ai remote inspections

    BV develops AI took to advance remote inspections

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    Baltic Exchange

    Baltic Exchange: Maritime market highlights 16-20 June

    Tokyo MOU: Enhancing PSC performance is a continuous commitment

    Tokyo MOU: Enhancing PSC performance is a continuous commitment

    Maersk Israel

    Maersk suspends vessel calls at the Port of Haifa, Israel

    COSCO X-press feeders

    COSCO & X-Press Feeders sign leasing & partnership agreements

  • Columns
    Optimarin: A BWTS must never interfere with safe ballasting

    Optimarin: A BWTS must never interfere with safe ballasting

    Global Maritime Forum: Human sustainability is a business imperative

    Global Maritime Forum: Human sustainability is a business imperative

    Career Paths: Friederike Hesse, ZERO44

    Career Paths: Friederike Hesse, ZERO44

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    fuel sampling

    Britannia: Key tips for sampling liquid cargo

    Maersk Israel

    Maersk suspends vessel calls at the Port of Haifa, Israel

    CMT

    CMT: Machinery failures and engine-room incidents are sharply rising

    Port of Rotterdam

    Cargo unloading results in two fatalities in the Port of Rotterdam

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

    time

    Stay SEAFiT: Time is non-renewable – invest it wisely

    public speaking

    8 Key rules of Public Speaking

    social media

    Mindfulness and social media: M.I.N.D. your media

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    fuel sampling

    Britannia: Key tips for sampling liquid cargo

    Aberdeen shore power

    Port of Aberdeen launches shore power project

    wind-assisted aframax

    Wind-assisted propulsion advances with new Aframax delivery

    shanghai port

    Shanghai Port orders 20,000-cubic-meter LNG bunkering vessel

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    imo autonomous shipping

    IMO in talks over autonomous shipping ahead of MSC 110

    The role of Maritime IT: Future trends and innovations

    Smart vessel embarks on its first journey in China

    ai-based shipyards

    New deal looks at the development of AI-based shipyards

    ai-based ship design

    Korean effort to develop AI-based solutions for ship design

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    oil theft nigeria

    Nigeria arrests 76 ships during two-year oil theft crackdown

    paris mou

    M/V Goldy Seven refused access to the Paris MoU

    detention

    Kerala High Court detains vessel in connection to previous incident

    ai remote inspections

    BV develops AI took to advance remote inspections

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    Baltic Exchange

    Baltic Exchange: Maritime market highlights 16-20 June

    Tokyo MOU: Enhancing PSC performance is a continuous commitment

    Tokyo MOU: Enhancing PSC performance is a continuous commitment

    Maersk Israel

    Maersk suspends vessel calls at the Port of Haifa, Israel

    COSCO X-press feeders

    COSCO & X-Press Feeders sign leasing & partnership agreements

  • Columns
    Optimarin: A BWTS must never interfere with safe ballasting

    Optimarin: A BWTS must never interfere with safe ballasting

    Global Maritime Forum: Human sustainability is a business imperative

    Global Maritime Forum: Human sustainability is a business imperative

    Career Paths: Friederike Hesse, ZERO44

    Career Paths: Friederike Hesse, ZERO44

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
SAFETY4SEA

BWMC implementation: The time for delays and denial is over

by Mark Riggio
January 15, 2019
in Ballast, Opinions
BWMC implementation: The time for delays and denial is over
FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin

Mr. Mark Riggio, President of the Ballastwater Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEMA) talks about the current challenges toward BWMC implementation, highlighting that the deadline for a BWTS installation expires, thus the sooner they start planning, the better. As explained, more than 80% of the world’s fleet by tonnage flies the flag of an Administration signatory to the Convention. That means for each of these ships, starting in September 2019, when their IOPP renewal is done, they will need to install a BWTS, therefore having a plan in place is crucial.  In this regard, BEMA aims to help by rebuilding the trust between manufacturers and the shipping industry and provide a unified voice and technical support to facilitate compliance.

 

SAFETY4SEA: Tell us a few words about BEMA. How did the need for this new Association emerge and what are your plans on the agenda with respect to BWMC?

Mark Riggio:  The Ballastwater Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEMA) was formed shortly after MEPC 72 when the implementation schedule of the Ballast Water Management Convention was delayed by two years. This delay highlighted the need for the industry to be represented at the IMO and galvanized the manufacturers to action. Concurrently, we heard from the shipping industry that an Association was needed to provide a unified voice, technical support, and to answer the many questions that were being raised by ship owning associations and Flag Administrations at MEPC. It was in this intersection of requests from ship owning associations and Administrations, along with a galvanized base of BWTS manufacturers that BEMA was born.

RelatedNews

Tokyo MOU: Enhancing PSC performance is a continuous commitment

Optimarin: A BWTS must never interfere with safe ballasting

 

S4S: What are the biggest challenges towards BWMC implementation up to 2024?

M.R.:  One significant challenge facing implementation of the Convention is rebuilding the trust between manufacturers and the shipping industry.  As systems have developed over the past decade, many significant improvements have been made in the performance, operability, and capabilities of treatment systems. Some owners with experience based on early-generation systems have a negative perception of their performance. This has created distrust and fear that the systems they will purchase will not work. This fear has delayed implementation and is forcing bottlenecks in the supply network that are not necessary. If there was sufficient trust between ship owners and BWTS manufacturers systems could be purchased and installed in a more deliberate, planned way.

Another significant challenge facing implementation of the Convention is how differing flag and Port State Control will implement the rules.  Both BWTS manufacturers and ship owners need consistency to facilitate taking the necessary actions to comply.  BEMA fully supports the IMO’s Experience Building Phase (EBP) and looks forward to opportunities to contribute information, and encourages ship owners and Administrations to participate.

 

S4S: What needs to be further discussed/ clarified at next MEPC with respect to BWMC?

M.R.:  BEMA believes that two primary issues will drive the next round of discussion at the IMO: Port State enforcement and contingency measures. Ship owners need to understand what Port States plan to do during their onboard surveys. Questions remain whether system checks will be largely administrative, whether indicative tests will be done to verify system function, or whether full compliance tests will be periodically done.

There is also a critical need for vessels to have adequate plans in place for when systems are either not functioning properly or when water conditions in the port exceed the system design limitations of an installed system. Each of these discussions provides BEMA with a strong platform to provide unbiased, technical viewpoints to the IMO and ultimately provide input to the decision-making process.

 

S4S: Have you noticed any specific problematic trend with the implementation of the BWMC so far? What is your feedback and your advice to the industry to move forward?

M.R.: BEMA envisions being a source of information that could help answer this type of question technically, but has not yet had an opportunity to assemble such data into a usable format.  That said, BEMA currently sees three primary problems inherent with implementing ballast water treatment onboard vessels:

1) Proper time is not invested into the planning and design of the BWTS installation;

2) System installation plans and designs are intended to ease installation of the system for the shipyard, not to ensure that the system is installed in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions to promote proper system  function over its lifespan; and

3) Opportunities for integrating the BWTS with the ship’s central automation system are often not thought about during planning.

If this is not addressed during design and installation, it will often leave the crews with significant extra work when using the systems. BEMA’s advice to industry is to coordinate closely with the manufacturer as early as possible in the process and to listen to their experiences and lessons learned.  Many issues could be avoided if the manufacturer is seen as a partner to, and a resource for, the overall project team.

 

S4S: Where do you see the market is going in terms of timeframes and vendors competition in the short term? Should we expect more type approvals within the IMO and/or USCG?

M.R.: We expect to continue to see new Type Approvals both on the IMO and US Coast Guard side as additional technologies, solutions, and vendors come on line. The shipping industry is very diverse and there is a need for many different types of solutions to meet the many different vessel operating profiles. We would expect that as the market matures, there will be some measure of consolidation and contraction, but in the near term we expect that the market is right-sized for the number of active vendors currently serving it.

 

S4S: Is crew training an issue with respect to BMW? What do shipowners need to think about the crew and their understanding of these systems and their installation?

M.R.: Crew training has been identified by many as a critical issue with respect to BWM and BWTS. As a trade Association, BEMA cannot comment on specific training requirements for specific systems, but we do recommend that ship owners carefully consider the training available, complexity of systems being offered, and the crews on their vessels when selecting a BWTS for installation on their ships.

 

S4S: A new Act affecting BWM signed into law (VIDA) with implications on EPA VGP as well. What changes should we anticipate with that development? What could be the challenges ahead?

M.R.: The new Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA), recently signed into law in the United States, harmonizes the complex web of ballast regulations in the U.S. While this is a universally good thing, there are a number of steps before we know exactly how this will affect vessels doing business in the waters of the United States. BEMA is standing ready to offer assistance to the agencies writing these new regulations and harmonizing these requirements into a new set of standards. As with any potential change, the challenges of VIDA lie in the new areas of uncertainty for ship owners.  With a potential four-year timeframe between the signing of the law and the publishing of a new standard, though, this uncertainty will have little impact on the BWMC Implementation Schedule.

 

S4S: What is your key message to industry with respect to BWMC implementation?

M.R.: BEMA has one key message with respect to BWMC implementation: get started. The time for delays, indecision, obfuscation, and denial has ended.  More than 80% of the world’s fleet by tonnage flies the flag of an Administration signatory to the Convention. That means for each of these ships, starting in September 2019, when their IOPP renewal is done, they will need to install a BWTS. If that installation is planned to be done during a yard period, which is preferable, then that yard period may occur months before the IOPP due date.  For many ships, that yard period will occur this Spring or Summer. If you do not have a plan in place, you are already too late in many cases to adequately plan for your installation.  Do not delay.  Start planning for your compliance now.

 

The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and not necessarily those of  SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion  purposes only.


 

BWMC implementation: The time for delays and denial is overMark Riggio is the President of the Ballastwater Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEMA). BEMA is an independent trade organization representing vendors, suppliers, and key partners in the ballast water treatment industry by providing coordinated, technical, non-commercial guidance to the market, including the regulating community, ship owners, and the testing community about how ballast water treatment systems work, how they are designed, and what the reasonable expectations are in regard to their performance.

BWMC implementation: The time for delays and denial is overBWMC implementation: The time for delays and denial is over
BWMC implementation: The time for delays and denial is overBWMC implementation: The time for delays and denial is over
Tags: BWM ConventionBWMSInterviews
Previous Post

Pair of Chinese shipbuilders considers buying yard in Subic Bay

Next Post

Pipelay vessel sinks after collision with tanker off Singapore

Mark Riggio

Mark Riggio

Mark Riggio is the President of the Ballastwater Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEMA). BEMA is an independent trade organization representing vendors, suppliers, and key partners in the ballast water treatment industry by providing coordinated, technical, non-commercial guidance to the market, including the regulating community, ship owners, and the testing community about how ballast water treatment systems work, how they are designed, and what the reasonable expectations are in regard to their performance.

Related News

Global Maritime Forum: Human sustainability is a business imperative
Opinions

Global Maritime Forum: Human sustainability is a business imperative

June 20, 2025
DSG: Now is a defining moment for DEI in shipping
Opinions

DSG: Now is a defining moment for DEI in shipping

May 28, 2025
EVIGO: A culture of sustainability begins at the top
Opinions

EVIGO: A culture of sustainability begins at the top

April 23, 2025
IUMI: As shipping decarbonises, safety must stay the course
Opinions

IUMI: As shipping decarbonises, safety must stay the course

April 23, 2025
InterManager: A reliable database on core safety issues will enhance industry’s resilience
Opinions

InterManager: A reliable database on core safety issues will enhance industry’s resilience

April 22, 2025
IAPH: Ports must evolve into sustainable energy supply hubs
Opinions

IAPH: Ports must evolve into sustainable energy supply hubs

April 22, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore more

No Result
View All Result
MARITIME EVENTS

Explore

  • Safety
  • SEAFiT
  • Green
  • Smart
  • Risk
  • Others
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

Useful Links

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policies
  • Advertising
  • Content Marketing
  • Contact

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

Manage your privacy
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show (non-) personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA