DNV Technical Newsletter
DNV’s new technical newsletter regarding the Use of Ballast Water Treatment Systems in Brazil and the USA hares some experiences of the current practice of using, or not using, BWTS when entering Brazilian ports. The use of ballast water treatment systems when entering US ports is also an issue of concern until the USCG has recognised or granted approval to the treatment systems in use.
Following up some cases reported by the Masters of DNV-classed vessels, DNV has been in dialogue with the Maritime Administration of Brazil to clarify its position. It is understood that the use of a ballast water treatment system when entering Brazilian ports is not allowed at present. The reason for this is not clear but the consequence is that vessels must use the exchange method when entering Brazilian waters.
Brazil requires an approved ballast water management plan for vessels visiting its waters. If a vessel has a ballast water treatment system installed, the ballast water management plan must include procedures for both the treatment method (D-2) and exchange method (D-1) in order to comply with Brazil’s current rules as described above.
From a Ballast Water Management Convention point of view, it is possible to have a ballast water management plan that addresses both the exchange and treatment of ballast water.
For vessels trading in the US, the following must be noted relating to the use of ballast water treatment systems in US waters. US ballast water legislation is in force (since June 2012) but requires the ballast water treatment system to be either type approved by the USCG or approved as an AMS.
An AMS (Alternate Management System) is an IMO type-approved ballast water management system that is provisionally accepted (for five years) by the USCG.
At present, there are no USCG type-approved BWTS and no treatment systems recognised as an AMS. Consequently, the current use of ballast water treatment systems is not allowed and vessels with a ballast water treatment system installed must use the exchange method when entering US ports. This means that the ballast water management plan for such vessels must also address both the treatment method (D-2) and exchange method (D-1) in order to meet US requirements.
Source: DNV
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