BUILDING TRUST. SHAPING SAFETY
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Technical Notices

Preliminary Report of MEPC 71 – Impact to BWM Convention

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Overview

 
The 71st session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 71) took place at the headquarters of the IMO in London from 3 to 7 July 2017. Detailed information concerning the work of INSB Class will follow accordingly.

Installation of Ballast Water Management System

With reference to the impact of this session to the implementation of the BWM Convention we wish to bring to your kind attention the below information concerning the installation of the Ballast Water Management System (BWMS):

  • Existing ships shall install the BWMS at the first IOPP renewal survey after 8 September 2017; in case have completed IOPP renewal survey between 8 September 2014 and 7 September 2017.
  • Existing ships that have not completed renewal survey between 8 September 2014 and 7 September 2017, shall install the BWMS at the second IOPP renewal survey after 8 September 2017, or at the first IOPP renewal survey on or after 8 September 2019; whichever occurs first. 

Existing ships which are not required to hold IOPP certificates (Oil tankers of less than 150 gross tonnage and ships other than oil tanker of less than 400 gross tonnage) shall install the BWMS not later than 8 September 2024. 

New ships (the keels of which are laid on or after 8 September 2017) shall install the BWMS by the date of their delivery.

Final adoption

 
The aforementioned implementation scheduled is expected to be finally adopted by MEPC 72 scheduled for April 2018.

Certification

 
Irrespectively of the aforementioned the ships must still obtain Ballast Water Management Certificate or relevant Statement of Compliance until 8 September 2017, and therefore should be provided with approved Ballast Water Management Plan and with Ballast Record Book. In this respect please contact an office of INSB in order to arrange the applicable survey on time.

Additional information

 
In line with the regulation B-4 of the BWM Convention the ballast water exchange shall take place in sea areas with distance from the nearest land at least 50 n.m. (if not possible 200 n.m.) and in water depth of at least 200 meters. For ships operated in areas that do not meet the aforementioned requirements, the IMO shall publish BWM circular with relevant guidance.

Open the Informative Circular in pdf
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