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In this recent ABS publication we provide owners and operators with the latest information surrounding BWM, as well as any additional lessons learned. Download your copy today!
Roughly 80% of globally traded commodities are shipped at some point in their journey across markets. Along with the transport of goods, shipping moves 3-5 billion tons of ballast water throughout the world each year. Shipowners, designers, builders and operators rely on ABS to understand international ballast water regulations and assist in the installation and proper operation of ballast water management systems (BWMS) on their vessels.
The IMO, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and other authorities have established regulations to reduce risks to public health and the environment that result from the transfer of ballast water around the world. The ABS Ballast Water Treatment Advisory and the ABS Guide for Ballast Water Treatment are leading resources to attain ship compliance with applicable standards from ballast water authorities.
To adhere to responsible ballast water management standards in the IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention, shipowners must do the following:
IMO Member States (flag Administrations) have granted type approval to more than 70 commercially available BWM systems. The USCG has granted Alternate Management System (AMS) acceptance to more than 60 of the systems that have foreign administration type approval. ABS can assist shipowners in evaluating the treatment system that best meets their needs.
The USCG Standards for Living Organisms in Ships’ Ballast Water Discharged in U.S. Waters (June 2012) identified the following BWM options:
Temporary compliance options include:
The USCG will inspect BWMS as part its normal port state control (PSC) inspections and domestic vessel inspections.
On April 9th 2020, the USCG published guidance on Alternative Management System (AMS) extensions in MSIB 14-20, “COVID-19: Ballast Water Management (BWM) Extensions”. This guidance permits owners and operators with installed AMS that are nearing the end of their five year AMS acceptance period, to seek a USCG extension to continue operating their AMS system beyond the 5 year acceptance period, provided that the installed AMS BWMS has already commenced USCG TA testing, submitted USCG TA application, and is pending approval or requires more time to complete the upgrade to the USCG TA configurations. ABS can assist owners or vendors in applying for an AMS extension for their vessels or fleet.
The ABS Global Sustainability team offers technical guidance, operational solutions and unparalleled insight into all facets of ballast water management, including:
For more information, please contact us.
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