The purpose of the extension was to allow vessel operators additional time for evaluation
INTERTANKO reported that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) had extended the deadline for filing extension requests for new vessels that are constructed on or after 1 January 2013 to install ballast water treatment systems. The extension is from 30 June 2011 to 30 September 2011.
Following on from this, and after requests from Members, a standard letter template has been developed for Members to use in requesting exemption from the implementation of the requirements for new vessels constructed after 1 January 2013. A
The purpose of the extension was to allow vessel operators, who may be requesting an extension, additional time to evaluate several soon-to-be-issued scientific and regulatory documents and studies. These are summarised in a letter template (see below) and provide justification for granting an exemption for vessels constructed after January 1 2013 from these stringent discharge requirements.
The main basis for this exemption request is the EPA’s Science Advisory Board report which concludes that current ballast water treatment systems would have to be wholly changed to be able to meet the 1000x IMO discharge standards. Furthermore, the EPA study concludes that, even with such standards in place, it would not be possible to sample and test for compliance owing to the large volumes of water required and the extremely low density of organisms being considered.
As already noted, the letter requesting an exemption to the Condition 3 requirements must be submitted before 30 September 2011.
Source : INTERTANKO
