Australia has announced via the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that new ballast water requirements will enter into force from June 2016 under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
Ships engaged in international voyages will be subject to the requirement, which stipulates that from 16 June 2016 Australia will authorise the use of ballast water management systems (BWMS) that have been Type Approved by the IMO as well as current accepted methods such as ballast water exchange.
Ships owners will need to ensure that their ships have an approved ballast water management plan if using a BWMS and must be issued with a Ballast Water Management Certificate, as set out in the IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention.
Furthermore, from 16 June 2016, ballast water exchanges must take place outside 12 nautical miles (nm) from the nearest land and transfers will not be permitted within 12 nm of the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef or part of the Torres Strait.
The full regulation and its requirements can be viewed by clicking here.
Ship Efficiency Review News
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