Tag: BWM Convention

The Ballastwater Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEMA) announced that they have been granted Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Consultative Status by IMO. This designation will allow BEMA to attend IMO meetings and contribute to the work of the IMO by submitting technical input and providing specialized operational and technical expertise on BWMS.

During MEPC 74 back in 2019, IMO approved a draft amendment to the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) to conduct commissioning testing so as to demonstrate through representative sampling and indicative analysis that a BWMS is working properly. According to this amendment, approved in MEPC 75, sampling and analysis should be conducted at commissioning testing for BWMS installed on board ships on or after 1 June 2022.

2022 is going to be a year of focus on the environment. Following COP26, the message is clear; we need to act now against the climate change and for the maritime industry, IMO has already paved the way with the enforcement of strict environmental rules; nonetheless, maritime safety will always be a key concern for the industry.

BIMCO submitted a proposal to the upcoming Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 77 to extend BWM experience building phase.

Stelios Kyriacou, CTO (Chief Technology Officer) at ERMA FIRST, analyses developments in Ballast Water Management Technology and how the regulatory landscape is evolving.

IMO has called on all shipping stakeholders to provide input to the Experience Building Phase (EBP) designed to see just how the BWM Convention is working. BIMCO informs that shipowners can now submit such data directly to the World Maritime University. 

The 2021 GREEN4SEA Virtual Forum focused on the regulatory agenda and industry’s ambitious targets and emerging challenges as we move forward to a more sustainable future for shipping.

The US Coast Guard Marine Safety Center issued the 39th Ballast Water Management System Type Approval Certificate to to Alfa Laval Tumba AB after a detailed review of the manufacturer’s type approval application determined the system met the requirements of 46 CFR 162.060.

The 75th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 75) took place remotely from 16 to 20 November. Among the key points were the approval of amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, with new requirements addressing GHG emissions and the approval of guidelines for onboard fuel sampling. 

ERMA FIRST has published detailed research comparing the effectiveness of its full-flow electro-chlorination technology versus ultra-violet technologies as well as side-stream ballast water systems and systems without filters. The research focuses particularly on the needs of the spot trading cargo fleet, which trades in a range of waters and is potentially subject to both US Coast Guard and IMO standards.