With the ratification of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention on 8 September 2016, the convention will enter into force on 8 September 2017. With only some months to go, this Technical & Regulatory News is intended as a supporting document for the BWM implementation phase, focusing on compliance.
Relevant for ship owners/managers, shipyards, suppliers, design offices and flag states.
Timeline
With the International Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention ratified and shortly entering into force, there is no time to lose up to 8 September 2017. There are two main milestones to be aware of:
- D-1 – Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP): an approved BWMP and a BWM Certificate or Statement/Certificate of Compliance must be on board the vessel before 8 September 2017, hence an early submission for approval is recommended to avoid last-minute approval
- D-2 – The deadline for installation of the ballast water treatment system is the first IOPP renewal survey after 8 September 2017
Ship owner check list:
The most important tasks for a ship owner/operator to do in the short term – in order of priority:
☑ Identify the vessels subject to the BWM Convention
☑ Investigate if an approved BWMP for the approved ballast water exchange process is already prepared and on board (if not, see below)
☑ Establish an overview of IOPP renewal dates for your fleet, and decide on a schedule for implementation
☑ Confirm any uncertainties/questions you might have with class and/or the relevant flag
Then, after these urgent issues have been solved, some other key activities for the remaining of 2017:
☑ Prepare and submit your BWMP
☑ Order and perform the initial survey (in due time before 8 September 2017)
☑ Make sure mandatory documentation (BWMP and International BWM Certificate or Statement/Certificate of Compliance) is in place before 8 September 2017
☑ Assess and choose treatment technology based on feasibility for your fleet
☑ Plan your retrofit, and ensure relevant documents are forwarded to class as early as possible
The remainder of this document – as an appendix (see PDF version, page 3 - 6) – is organized as follows (click on heading to get to the relevant sections):
- BWM Convention – Applications and requirements
a. Vessels/units covered by the BWM Convention
b. Exemptions from the convention - Requirements of the convention
a. D-1 and D-2 standards
b. US Coast Guard requirements - Approval of Ballast Water Management Plan and installation of treatment systems
a. D-1 standard (BWMP)
b. D-2 standard – fleet in service (existing ships)
c. D-2 standard – newbuilding - BWM surveys
a. D-1 survey
b. D-2 survey - BWM certification
- Retroactive requirements (RR)
- De-coupling of the IOPP Certificate (de-harmonization of HSSC)
a. Considerations
b. IOPP Certificate
c. IOPP Certificate Technicalities - Health and safety issues during surveys of ballast water tanks
Appendix
See details to the content above in the PDF version, pages 3 to 6.
References
Further information including guidelines, brochure and FAQs can be found on the DNV GL website: www.dnvgl.com/bwm
Contact
- For customers: DATE – Direct Access to Technical Experts via My DNV GL
- Otherwise: Use our office locator to find the nearest DNV GL maritime office