Tag: BWMS

USCG issued the latest update (March 2017) for the procedures for requesting extensions for compliance with BWM regulations in response to hundreds of extension requests and dozens of questions received by the Coast Guard, which indicate a widespread misunderstanding of the previously issued guidance, and an associated need for additional clarity and certainty for all stakeholders.

The West of England P&I Club reminds now that USCG has approved three BWM systems, ships must comply with the US Ballast Water Discharge Regulation. Operators are advised to ensure that each vessel, which calls a port under U.S. jurisdiction, either complies with one of the approved BW management methods or is covered by an extended compliance date, with a copy of the letter kept aboard the vessel.

Evoqua Water Technologies has joined forces with Hai Cheung which is due to support Chinese shipyards with the supply and service of Evoqua’s SeaCURE BWMS. In a second phase of the agreement, the Hong Kong-based engineering company will then produce the SeaCURE system under licence to facilitate demand from Chinese yards.

Four new 3300 TEU container vessels being built for the French shipping group, CMA CGM, will feature Wärtsilä Ballast Water Management Systems. This is the third series of vessels for which the same owner has selected the Wärtsilä BWMS solution, making a total of ten ships in all.

Professionals from Blank Law international law firm said that USCG type-approval of Optimarin AS’ UV-based treatment system is a 'game-changer in the regulation of ballast water in the United States and will change the process by which the U.S. Coast Guard grants extensions to its compliance requirements'. Now that a type-approved system exists, extensions that were previously granted liberally may be more difficult to obtain.

Wärtsilä has signed agreement with Jiujiang Precision Measuring Technology Research Institute in Jiujiang , China. The two-way agreement provides CSSC with access to technology and the rights to manufacture the Wärtsilä Aquarius EC Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) under license for applications to CSSC customers.

Now that a type approved BWMS is available, USCG informs that any owner/operator requesting an extension must provide the Coast Guard with an explicit statement supported by documentary evidence (e.g., a delay in commercial availability) that installation of the type approved system is not possible for purposes of compliance with the regulatory implementation schedule. Extension letters will remain valid until the extended compliance date specified in the extension letter.

The US Coast Guard Marine Safety Center issued the first USCG BWMS Type Approval Certificate to Norwegian manufacturer Optimarin AS after a detailed review of the type approval application determined the system met the requirements of federal regulations. Other systems are also being evaluated.

In this article, ClassNK explains how its software is helping owners to consider the best BWMS solutions for their existing ships. Implementation of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention means 40,000 vessels will need a Ballast Water Management System by their first renewal survey after September 2017.

IMO MEPC 70 meeting concluded last week with significant decisions regarding global sulphur cap, carbon emissions and BWM treaty which will enter into force on September 8th, 2017. Regarding the implementation of the BWMC, the Committee adopted ‘revised Guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8)’.