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Ballast Water Management

Cr ystal

clear

T

he International Maritime process for the very expensive new be told subsequently that it falls
Organization’s (IMO) Ballast treatment systems which will be short of the required

Water Management required, doubts about the procedures standard. According to
Convention is regarded by many as a to be followed during Port State the ICS, at the next

stumbling block for industry, having Control, and the need to provide meeting of the
been adopted in 2004, before the confidence to ship owners who have IMO Marine

technology required to comply had already installed new equipment (or are
been widely tested or proven Environment soon to do so) that they will be regarded

commercially.
Protection
by the authorities as compliant.
With this in mind, the International ICS supports the objectives of the Committee

Chamber of Shipping (ICS) – the Convention and recognises that its (MEPC 67) in

global trade association for ship owners, eventual entry into force is inevitable. October 2014,
which represents over 80% of the “However, unless these problems are governments will take

global merchant fleet – discussed the resolved immediately at IMO there is
what may be the final
issue at length during its Annual a considerable risk that the regime opportunity to act by

General Meeting in Limassol, Cyprus.
will not be fit for purpose,” agreeing some relatively
Noting that time is running out to explained ICS Chairman simple changes to how the

make the new regime fit for purpose, Masamichi Morooka.
be
Convention will
the ICS debated the view that there is ICS is greatly implemented. “Time is rapidly

now a greater understanding of these running out.” said Mr Morooka. concerned that port state
problems amongst IMO Member Meanwhile, technology sanctions could impact

States and that previously, a lack of companies are working hard to help unfairly on ship
understanding may have helped to ship owners prove that ballast water owners who, in

impede ratification.
good faith, have treatment systems installed onboard

Further obstacles fitted type- do indeed comply with regulations.
discussed include the lack
approved Goltens Green Technologies, an

of robustness of the equipment,
independent ballast water treatment
current type-approval
service provider, has signed an exclusive only to

global distribution agreement with UK
based Bactest for the award-winning

portable fast contamination testing
product, Speedy Breedy.

Through this agreement,
Goltens Green

Technologies, with

its broad range of
experience in

supporting
ship owners

in

2014 Issue 61 The SHIP Supplier 17