In light of the COVID-19 pandemic situation and the USCG’s decision to extend BWTS compliance dates , Steve Candito, CEO of Ecochlor provided a brief overview concerning the issues arising due to the extensions.
In fact, Mr. Steve Candito noted:
The coast guard has been very clear that there are going to be some kind of extensions in case you are having difficulties installing a system because of the coronavirus. But they initially said that everything has to be on a case-by-case basis and very well supported. In their most recent documentation, they came out with what they described as an automatic one-year extension, so that was a little bit different. But if you want more than one-year extension, then there is a more complex process that you have to go through to get it.
Moreover, Mr. Candito said that this automatic extension does not always help the shipowner because it can put someone off-cycle from its regulatory dry docking. At the same time, in case that a shipowner goes for more than a year extension, the paperwork needed is much more onerous.
Specifically, if shipowners need more than one year extension, they have to show three components: 1) That they actually purchased a ballast water system 2) What were the issues concerning the dry dock availability and why they couldn’t install it timely 3) Provide an installation schedule and the steps taken.
