With the Ballast Water Management Convention entering into force on 8 September, DNV GL would like to remind you of a few last-minute but important issues.
Relevant for owners and managers, design offices, shipyards, suppliers and flag states.
1. Actions needed before 8 September 2017
The entry into force date of the BWM convention is 8 September 2017. By this date all vessels subject to the convention must be in compliance with the D-1 (exchange standard). To quickly identify the steps customers may have to take before 8 September, DNV GL has prepared the following examples, with recommended actions:
Scenario A – vessel status:
Action: Vessel in compliance – No further actions needed
Scenario B – vessel status:
Action:
Step 1: Generate Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP) quickly and efficiently with DNV GL's free-to-use web application BWMP Generator.
Step 2: Submit the BWMP for approval to: bwmp.exchange@dnvgl.com. For BWMPs received in the last 2 weeks before 8 September, a certificate will be issued in accordance with BWM.2/Circ.40 including the provision that the BWMP is to be approved and initial survey concluded before 8 December 2017. (Circ.40 allows a grace period of 3 months to complete the initial survey and certification after the entry into force date, see below).
Scenario C – vessel status:
Action:
If you are not able to perform an initial survey before 8 September 2017, please request DNV GL to issue a certificate in accordance with BWM.2/Circ.40. The certificate will be issued with the provision that the initial survey is concluded before 8 December 2017. Requests to be submitted to: bwmp.exchange@dnvgl.com.
2. Office based D-1 initial surveys and position of flags
DNV GL has been authorized to issue the BWM D-1 certificate without a physical survey carried out on board by the following flag state administrations: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Marshall Islands, Malta, Netherlands and Norway.
This is subject to certain conditions, including a declaration by the vessel’s Master regarding the availability of an approved BWM plan and record book on board the vessel. This option may only be given to vessels flying one of the above flags if no scheduled or occasional survey is planned prior to 8 December 2017 - fully utilising the period of grace granted by the IMO BWM.2/Circ. 40. (please see above).
If the conditions listed above are met, an e-mail requesting the initial BWM D-1 office based survey and certification including a scanned copy of the declaration by the Master should be sent to bwmp.exchange@dnvgl.com. For more information on this, please contact your local DNV GL office.
3. D-2 compliance
The MEPC (71) meeting in early-July reached a compromise on compliance dates for the ballast water D-2 standard (installation date).
- All ships with a keel laying after 8 September 2017 must comply with the D-2 standard on delivery.
- Existing ships must, in general, comply with the D-2 standard by the first IOPP renewal after 8 September 2019.
Ships to which the IOPP renewal survey does not apply (generally ships below 400 GT and oil tankers below 150 GT) with a keel laying before the 8 September 2017 must be in compliance with the D-2 standard no later than 8 September 2024.
Recommendations
All DNV GL customers are advised to avoid last-minute preparation, and to carefully examine and consider their ship’s individual IOPP renewal dates to ensure compliance. If you are uncertain about what to do, please contact your flag or your local DNV GL office.
References
DNV GL key resource page on Ballast Water Management, including the new “D-2 Calculator” to verify the required compliance dates for each vessel.
Previously issued Technical and Regulatory News from DNV GL:
- MEPC 71 agrees to implementation dates for ballast water treatment systems
- 100 days to go – are you ready? The BWM Convention enters into force on 8 September 2017
- New DNV GL Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP) Generator – compliant with less effort
- Ballast Water Management – How to comply with the IMO Convention
- 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