Ballast water treatment systems: what to choose and when to install?
A lot has been said and written in the recent years about ballast water treatment, system requirements and the ratification of the convention. Let us give you a small refresher of the requirements and the latest status:
-The BWM Convention will apply to all ships including submersibles, floating craft, floating platforms, FSUs and FPSOs.
It will not apply to:
– ships not designed to carry ballast water
– ships not operating in international waters
– warships, naval auxiliary ships or other ships owned or operated by a state
– ships only on non-commercial service
– ships with permanent ballast water in sealed tanks.
The convention will come in to force after 30 countries have signed representing at least 35% of the world’s fleet GRT.
On 19th of April Peru has signed as 50th state, bringing the required percentage 34,95% (to be verified by IMO)
In general, EIF date (entry into force) is most important here, since first IOPP renewal survey requires compliancy of your vessel. More in detail the year of construction as well as the ballast water holding capacity are of influence to the compliancy date.
When your vessel is operating in EU and US waters, make sure you follow the specific guidelines on the treatment standards.
To comply with the convention, all ships < 400 GRT will need to have a vessel specific ballast water management plan on board.
Depending your capacity, and the pumping rates you can select the equipment you need. UV(*) or chemical treatment, or a combination of both. For special vessels that carry water for longer period, topping up the tanks with potable water and have it treated and tested can be a solution. (for instance dredgers)
(*US Coast guard has rejected the MPN (most probable number) test is not a valid method to verify effectivity of the system, governing the ‘killrate’ of organisms)
More news on the ratification will follow later this month, after IMO’s MEPC-69 final reports are published.
If you need any assistance with your questions on ballast water for your fleet, just let us know and we’ll be happy to assist.