Intertanko created a new procedure for port-states’ response whenever a tanker’s BWMS is not operating correctly, and is about to submit this new procedure to IMO.
Intertanko informed that 60% of its members with BWM systems, said that they experience difficulties in operating them, or that the system does not work operate.
Regarding BMWS problems, IMO has said that port-states can deal with these situations on a case-by-case basis, however Intertanko does not agree and says that a uniform approach is needed.
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For this reason, it concluded to 9 contingency measures. These include, amongst others, fixing the BWMS at the ballast loading port, fixing the system while heading to the port, conducting a ballast water exchange while in ocean, or retain ballast water onboard.
Intertanko will now require from its members to present to port authorities the reasons why a BWMS has failed, and also provide them with the system’s maintenance history, to conclude whether or not the necessary actions were taken to solve the problem.
According to the Ballast Water Management Convention ships must comply with the D1 or D2 standards. D1 standard requires ships to perform a ballast water exchange, and sets the exact amount of water that needs to be replaced. D2 standard is more strict and requires from the ship to use an approved BWMS. However, this system should make sure that a small amount of viable organisms remain in water after treatment.
New ships are required to install and comply with the D2 standard from September 8, 2017. Existing ships, which are subject to the implementation schedule, have a deadline until September 8, 2024. By that time all ships must comply with the D2 standard.
See the full contingency measures by Intertanko, in the PDF below
