BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT

– News from IMO Committee – 

The BWM Convention will enter into force on 8 September 2017 – one year after ratification. The convention stipulates two standards for discharged ballast water. The D-1 standard covers ballast water exchange while the D-2 standard covers ballast water treatment.

There will be a transitional period from the entry into force to the IOPP renewal survey in which ballast water exchange (requirement D-1) must be applied. After the first IOPP renewal survey, vessels will be required to meet the discharge standard D-2. The latter is most commonly met by installing an approved Ballast Water Management System (BWMS). Ships constructed after entry into force will be required to have a treatment system installed at delivery.

Moreover the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee at its 71 session (MEPC 71) tentatively accepted an amended implementation scheme for ships to comply with the D-2 standard (treatment) under the BWM Convention.

Under the proposal:

1. New ships (constructed on or after 8 September 2017) are to comply with the D-2 standard (treatment) on or after 8 September 2017.

2. Existing ship (constructed before 8 September 2017):

• having the renewal of the IOPP certificate between 8 September 2017 and 8 September 2019(excluded) are to comply with the D-2 standard (treatment) at the following IOPP certificate renewal survey, i.e. at the second renewal survey after the entry into force date of the Convention,
• having the renewal of the IOPP certificate starting from 8 September 2019, are to comply with the D-2 standard (treatment) at this renewal survey, i.e. at the first renewal survey after the entry into force date of the Convention.

Check out the proposal scheme at the link below: http://www.rina.org/en/news?item=173

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In order to meet your relevant needs, we are glad to offer the following two courses:

• Ballast Water Management Requirements (code O-E09), and

• BWM Technical Solutions (code O-E10)

Both of them are available as IN-HOUSE edition, at your premises upon your kind request.

Detailed information can be found at http://www.rina.org/en/our-services/training/maritime-office/ships-operators in ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION & ENERGY EFFICIENCY section.