MPA Singapore Circular 12/2013
MPA Singapore has issued Shipping Circular No.12/2013 refering to Resolutions adopted by by the IMO 65th Maritime Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 65) held from 13 to 17 May 2013, at IMO Headquarters in London regarding :
- Ballast Water Management Convention
- Air pollution and Energy Efficiency
- Garbage Management
- Biofouling
Ballast Water Management Convention
a. BWM.2/Circ.42 – Guidance on ballast water sampling and analysis for trialuse in accordance with the BWM Convention and Guidelines (G2)
The guidance provides general recommendations on methodologies andapproaches to sampling and analysis for testing compliance with the D-1and D-2 standards under the BWM Convention. MEPC 65 also agreed onthe recommendations related to the trial period for reviewing, improvingand standardising the guidance and on the principle that port states refrainfrom applying criminal sanctions on the basis of sampling only during thetrial period.
b. BWM.2/Circ.43 – Amendments to the Guidance for Administrations on thetype approval process for ballast water management systems inaccordance with Guidelines (G8)
The circular supersedes BWM.2/Circ.28 and provides guidance toAdministrations on the procedure for evaluating applications for typeapproval of BWMS. Manufacturers submitting systems for approval arerequired to refer to the guidance.
c. BWM.2/Circ.44 – Options for ballast water management for OffshoreSupport Vessels in accordance with the BWM Convention
The circular provides options available for offshore support vessels tocomply with the requirements of the BWM Convention arising fromconcerns that the activities of these vessels differ from those of deep seatrading vessels.
d. BWM.2/Circ.45 – Clarification of “major conversion” as defined inregulation A-1.5 of the BWM Convention
The circular provides clarifications that new installation of BWMS shouldnot be treated as a “major conversion” of a ship, and also on theconversions that constitute as a change of ship type.
e. BWM.2/Circ.46 – Application of the BWM Convention to Mobile OffshoreUnits
The circular proposes unified interpretations for the application of theBWM Convention to mobile offshore units.
Air Pollution and Energy Efficiency
a. MEPC.1/Circ.815 – 2013 Guidance on treatment of innovative energyefficiency technologies for calculation and verification of the attained EEDI
The guidance provides the methodology of calculation, survey andcertification of innovative energy efficiency technologies for the attainedEEDI under MARPOL Annex VI to interested parties related to EEDI ofships.
b. MEPC.1/Circ.816 – 2013 Guidelines on survey and certification of theEnergy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI)
The circular is a consolidated text of the guidelines on survey andcertification of the EEDI and incorporates the amendments adopted underresolution MEPC.234(65).
Garbage Management
a. MEPC.1/Circ.809 – Revised Guidance on the management of spoiltcargoes
The circular provides guidance on managing spoilt cargoes during voyageand takes into account the London Protocol and revised MARPOL AnnexV.
b. MEPC.1/Circ.810 – Implementation of MARPOL Annex V (Adequate portreception facilities for cargoes declared as harmful to the marineenvironment under MARPOL Annex V)
The circular permits the discharge of cargo hold washwater from holdspreviously containing solid bulk cargo classified as HME under certainconditions when no adequate port reception facilities are available at thedischarge port. The relaxation is only valid until 31 December 2015.
Biofouling
a.MEPC.1/Circ.811 – Guidance for evaluating the 2011 guidelines forcontrol and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer ofinvasive aquatic species
The guidance is intended to assist interested parties in evaluating theguidelines for control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize thetransfer of invasive aquatic species.
MPA Singapore Circular includes all the above Resolutions with active links. Click here for more
