Honest dialogue on Ballast Water Management; for effective implementation and operational systems. Last year we enjoyed the most successful BWMTech North America to date – featuring regulatory updates from the IMO, USCG and EPA as well as shipowner insights from CSL Group, and all the latest tech developments…
Ballast water is one of the most prominent topics in the maritime industry today. It spans the shipping industry, the environmental community, and the actions of maritime industry policymakers. Because it is so far reaching, it is important to understand not only what ballast water is, but how it affects the marine environment and maritime industry.
Since September of last year, when the implementation date of the International Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention became clear, all eyes have been focused on the U.S. Type Approval Process. Ship owners and operators have been concerned, in particular, with the differences between the between the U.S. and International Type approval processes and the potential that BWMS meeting the more stringent U.S. requirements may not be available prior to the entry into force of the International BWM Convention in 2017.
In December 2016, the Coast Guard type approved three BWMSs, and we expect to see more systems submitted for type approval early this year.