Ballast Water Convention - the US view
The US Coast Guard has welcomed the ratification of the Ballast Water Convention.
Rear Adm Paul Thomas, assistant Commandant for prevention policy, said that the USCG saw this as an important step forward in controlling invasive species spread by ballast water and meeting the challenge of reducing the environmental footprint of international shipping. “We also understand that the announcement heightens concerns in the industry about the differences between the BMW Convention and the US ballast water regulations.
In previous posts, I have explained in detail how and why the US regulations differ from the BWM Convention. We’ve alsoexplained how compliance dates and the extension process are managed while we are working hard on US type approval of ballast water treatment systems. “The entry into force of the BWM Convention will not change the USCG approach to or enforcement of the US ballast water regulations,” he stressed in a statement.
Ships operating in US waters must comply with US requirements, including using one of the ballast water management practices described in 33 CFR Part 151.2025 and 2050. Therefore, ships in US waters will not be subject to Port State Control verification of compliance with the BWM Convention.
Those ships equipped with a USCG approved Alternative Management System (AMS) will remain in compliance with US regulations until five years after the compliance date (for an individual ship) is set. Compliance dates will be determined on a vessel-by-vessel basis after USCG type approved ballast water treatment systems are commercially available.
After five years, the AMS must either achieve USCG type-approval, or be replaced with a type-approved system.
He explained that currently, there are 19 BWMS manufacturers with systems approved by other administrations (AMS) that are seeking type-approval from the USCG.
Three of these manufacturers report they have recently completed testing with the USCG independent lab. “On the basis of information provided from manufacturers and independent labs, we expect to receive applications for USCG type-approval in the next few weeks,” Rear Adm Thomas said “In the meantime, the USCG continues to work with the IMO to harmonise the international testing procedures within the BWM Convention, known as the G8 Guidelines, with US type-approval processes “The IMO type-approval guidelines are currently under review, and recommendations for revisions are being developed for the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 70) meeting in October, 2016,” he said At MEPC 70, papers will be presented by various bodies outlining BWTS technical standards that should be attained and also calling for a level playing field worldwide, including a study on a double ballast water exchange. Scott Bergeron, Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) CEO, said that early adopters of equipment should not be punished by having to replace their systems.
He calculated that a maximum of 6,000 vessels could be handled per year by the world’s shipyards for equipment retrofits. A vessel of 17 years of age when the convention enters into force could be 22 years old before it needs to be retrofitted, given the five year survey deadline. Is most cases, the work would not be economically viable. Bergeron stressed that the IMO was still the proper place to discuss and adopt legislation.
Source: tankeroperator.