IMO MEPC 71 tentatively accepted an amended implementation scheme for ships to comply with the D-2 biological standard under the Ballast Water Management Convention, according to an Interim Brief provided by ABS. The scheme, if approved by the Committee on July 7th, will be circulated to Member States for adoption at the next MEPC in April 2018.
ABS refers that MEPC 71 considers for ships constructed on or after September 8, 2017 to comply with the D-2 standard on or after September 8, 2017. However, for the existing ships, MEPC 71 is about to approve a two-year delay. In particular, existing ships are to comply with the D-2 standard at the first MARPOL IOPP renewal survey completed on or after:
- September 8, 2019 (Reg B-3/10.1.1); or
- September 8, 2017, only if a MARPOL IOPP renewal survey is completed on or after September 8,
2014 but prior to September 8, 2017 (Reg B-3/10.1.2).
If the survey per Reg B-3/10.1.2 is not completed, then compliance with the D-2 standard is required at the second MARPOL IOPP renewal survey after September 8, 2017, only if the first MARPOL IOPP renewal survey after September 8, 2017 is completed prior to September 8, 2019 and a MARPOL IOPP renewal survey was not completed on or after September 8, 2014 but prior to September 8, 2017 (Reg B-3/10.2).
For ships constructed before September 8, 2017 and which are not subject to the MARPOL IOPP renewal survey, compliance with the D-2 standard is required not later than September 8, 2024.
ABS has created the following image to clarify the amended timeframe.
