News & Updates

CONTEXT:
Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) acceded to the BWM Convention on 19 October 2016, whereby recently issued a dedicated Merchant Marine Circular (refer to PMA MMC-345) with instructions for the implementation of the BWM Convention to Panamanian flagged vessels.

APPLICABILITY:
All owners and operators of Panamanian flagged vessels.

INSB CLASS AUTHORISED BY PMA UNDER THE BWM CONVENTION:
INSB Class has received authorisation by PMA to carry out initial surveys under the BWM Convention and issue provisional certification (refer to PMA MMC-348), while the full-term International Ballast Water Management Certificates (IBWMCs) shall be issued by the PMA.

Endorsement of corresponding Annual or Intermediate Surveys can be also carried out by INSB Class as authorised RO under PMA, after satisfactory completion of the same, as it is required by the Convention (Regulation E-1).

Ship-owners or Operators of Panama vessels, may, if necessary, request INSB Class to carry out an initial survey and issue provisional certification, and apply to the PMA for a full-term IBWMC as soon as possible.

APPROVAL OF BWMP BY PMA:
According to PMA MMC-345, paragraph 4.5, PMA requires BWMPs to be submitted to the Administration for approval.

Further, PMA has highlighted  that any BWMP that was previously approved by INSB Class (or another Recognised Organisation) as compliant with IMO Resolution A.868(20) will remain valid and will not need re-approval by the PMA unless the BWMP is altered due to installation of a ballast water management system.

The BWMPs previously approved by INSB Class (or another authorised Recognised Organisation) as compliant with the later guidelines in IMO Resolution MEPC.127(53) will need to be reapproved.

ABOUT STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE PREVIOUSLY ISSUED BY INSB CLASS:
The Statement of Compliance issued by INSB Class, before the entry into force of the BWM Convention will be accepted by PMA until the date of entry into force of the Convention; when it shall be replaced by the corresponding Provisional IBWM Certificate valid for five (5) months and issued by the INSB Class (or another authorised Recognised Organisation), or by the correspondent International Ballast Water Management Certificate (IBWMC) issued by the PMA.

ISSUE OF FULL TERM IBWMC:
The full-term IBWMCs will be issued by the PMA Segumar Offices (including branch offices) after receiving electronic copies of the following documents:

• Short-term or provisional certificate or statement of compliance issued by INSB Class;
• Survey report; and
• Ballast water management plan (BWMP) approval

Application for full term Certificate IBWMC can be made as from March 15, 2017, through the web link