The 69th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) commenced this morning at the IMO’s HQ in London.
This highly anticipated meeting will hold many twists and turns as ballast water management, industry GHG emissions, and vessel efficiency are all battered by Member States, Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and associations alike during the plenary sessions that lie ahead.
Mr Arsenio Dominguez, Panamanian Ambassador to the International Maritime Organization is the chair of the IMO’s MEPC, he has the tough job of controlling the gathered mix of Member States, Associate Members, Parties to MARPOL, Intergovernmental organisations and international NGOs all vying to discuss the prevention and control of pollution from ships.
For MEPC 68 last year, this gathered mass amounted to 95 Member States plus 2 associates, 5 Inter-Governmental organisations and the remarkably high number of 52 Non-Governmental organisations.
At the end of the plenary session yesterday great progression was being made through Agenda Item 4: HARMFUL AQUATIC ORGANISMS IN BALLAST WATER. Therefore, today actions will commence from approximately agenda item 4, point 10.
For today’s plenary session, the Committee will continue from:
ITEM 4: HARMFUL AQUATIC ORGANISMS IN BALLAST WATER
4/10 Self-monitoring of ballast water management systems for indicative compliance with the Ballast Water Management Convention and its guidelines
Denmark will provide a further basis for discussion of the proposed change of a BWM.2/Circ.43 on Amendments to the Guidance for Administrations on the type approval process for ballast water managements systems in accordance with Guidelines (G8) by providing information on a continuously operating self-monitoring device for ballast water management systems known as the bw-monitor in-line system (see bw-monitor.com).
The sponsors propose that the self-monitoring system of a BWMS should include parameters indicative to the proper functioning or failure of the BWMS which may include parameters specific to the methodology applied and biological parameters to assess the functionality of the system. Denmark states the bw-monitor in-line system offers such self-monitoring facilities applicable for most BWMS regardless of the technologies applied.
4/11 Introduction of the same risk area concept in relation to the Ballast Water Management Convention and its guidelines
The co-sponsors Denmark and INTERFERRY propose an approach to exemptions under the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) which does not require amendments to the Convention or associated Guidelines (G7). The submission focuses on the effective use of existing provisions by developing the concept of Same Risk Area (SRA) in the context of exemptions in accordance with BWMC regulation A-4. A comprehensive study to support the proposal is provided by the cosponsors in document MEPC 69/INF.25.
4/12 Exceptional discharge of ballast water carried on oil tankers in cargo tanks in exceptional cases
India will propose that the discharge of additional ballast water carried in cargo tanks of tankers as per MARPOL Annex I, regulation 18.3.2 be treated as exceptional under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM Convention) and should not be subject to regulation B-3 of the BWM Convention.
4/13 Proposal for additional revision of the application schedule of regulation B-3 of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004
Liberia will provide comments on recent developments in the retrofitting market in conjunction with the revised application schedule adopted by resolution A,1088(28). The Committee is advised that according to data relating to the completion of IOPP renewal surveys in 2015 and predicted up until entry into force of the BWMC combined with known dry dock capacity Liberia predicts a shortfall in dry dock capacity to fit ballast water management systems in 2020/2021. Liberia estimates that demand for retrofitting after the entry into force of the BWMC will reach a peak in 2020 with 9,500 ships but with a global capacity to retrofit 6,000 ships annually – a predicted shortfall in excess of 50%.
Additionally issues relating to the lack of suitable available systems for existing tonnage such as bulk carriers with topside tanks are discussed. It is noted that ballast water is discharged using gravity from the topside tanks and there is no opportunity to treat ballast water or neutralize active substances on discharge.
Liberia will discuss the possible need for an additional revision to regulation B-3 of the BWM Convention to address the concerns identified of retrofitting ballast water management systems to comply with regulation D-2 of the Convention. The possibility of “BWE with additional measures” to comply with the D-2 standard is discussed as an alternative, for existing ships, to fitting a BWMS for a period of up to 15 years.
The Committee is asked to consider the information provided in the submission and the supporting paper MEPC 69/INF.22 and a possible further revision to the implementation schedule. If the Committee agrees to consider an additional revision Liberia it will then submit a proposal to MEPC 70 to clarify the scope of the application of this extended BWE to comply with the D2 standard.
4/14 Comments on document MEPC 69/4/8 China
China will provide comments on document MEPC 69/4/8 and proposes amendments to regulation B-3 of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention based on resolution A.1088(28).
The paper discusses how China believes the draft amendments are of essential importance for successful implementation of the BWM Convention but proposes tying in the renewal survey to the HSSC Guidelines.
China will propose the draft amendments be adjusted as follows:
- Revise the requirements for existing ships involving the anniversary date of delivery; and 2. Refer the phrase “renewal survey” to the HSSC Guidelines.
4/15 Comments on the proposal for regional ballast water risk assessment using the same risk area approach
Canada will provide comments on the submission by Denmark and Interferry, MEPC 69/4/11, identifying additional factors that it believes require consideration in order to ensure the accuracy of this Same Risk Area (SRA) approach proposed. Canada also clarifies the status of Canadian ballast water regulations referred to in document MEPC 69/4/11.
4/16 Comments on document MEPC 69/4/13 (Liberia) relating to a proposal for additional revision of the application schedule of regulation B-3 of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004
The ICS and Intertanko submission comments on the information provided by Liberia in their submission MEPC 69/4/13 and supporting paper MEPC 69/INF.22. Within the paper the information provided by Liberia related to predicted lack of dry dock capacity in 2020 is noted with concern and additional concerns are raised about the available supply of approved Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMSs) which can be considered suitable for installation on ships operating or intending to operate globally including within United States (US) waters.
4/17 Comments on document MEPC 69/4/8 Japan Japan provides comments on document MEPC 69/4/8 (Secretariat) and the proposals made within it which they state they cannot agree as they “may cause confusion”.
Japan will propose draft text for amendments to regulation B-3 of the BWM Convention referring to “date determined by the Marine Environment Protection Committee” instead of “first renewal survey” and then proposes a related draft MEPC resolution which simply states that MEPC “.DETERMINES that the date referred to in paragraphs 1.1, 1.2, 2 or 4 of regulation B-3 is the renewal survey associated with the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate under MARPOL Annex I”.
BWMS Type Approvals
Type Approvals For the following companies will be put forward by China:
Seascape® Ballast Water Management System
AHEAD®- BWMS ballast water management system
NiBallast™ ballast water management system
YPBWMS ballast water management system
Type Approval For the following companies will be put forward by Germany:
SeaCURE BWMS SC-1500/1 (Formally named SiCURE™ Ballast Water Management System)
Type Approval For the following companies will be put forward by The Netherlands:
Van Oord Ballast Water Management System
Type Approvals For the following companies will be put forward by Republic of Korea:
EcoGuardian™ Ballast Water Management System manufactured by HANLA IMS Co., Ltd.
BlueZone™ Ballast Water Management System
INF Papers:
4/INF.17 Ship-mediated bioinvasions in the Arctic: pathways and control strategies
FOEI will provides an overview of what is presently know about the risks, pathways and potential control strategies for ship-mediated bioinvasions in the Arctic, including the status of current regulations to reduce or prevent such bioinvasions.
Notably it is stated that compared with warmer regions few non-native species have become established in the arctic due to limited discharges of ballast water and the physical conditions in the region. The paper however states that due to a number of factors including warming waters, changing trade routes, exploration and cruises to the region risks of invasive species being introduced are increasing.
4/INF.20 Information on the Regional Technical Workshop on the Ballast Water Management Convention
The co-sponsors Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will provide information on the Regional Technical Workshop om the Ballast Water Management Convention held from 27-28 August 2015 in Singapore.
The aim of the workshop was to take stock of the latest developments on the Ballast Water Management Convention and to discuss the concept of the “same risk area” for short sea shipping.
4/INF.22 Supplement to the proposal for additional revision of the application schedule of regulation B-3 of the BWM Convention
Liberia will provide supplemental information in support of the proposal for an additional revision of the application schedule of regulation B-3 in the BWM Convention, see MEPC 69/4/13
4/INF.25 Introduction of the same risk area concept in relation to the Ballast Water Management Convention and its Guidelines
The co-sponsors Denmark and INTERFERRY will provide a study on the same risk area concept, as discussed in document MEPC 69/4/11
4/INF.30 Land-based and shipboard testing of ballast water management systems: revisiting the issue of organisms ≥ 10 μm and < 50 μm in minimum dimension
The Republic of Korea will provide information on the size of fresh water pennate diatoms for reconsideration of the current Guidelines (G8) with regard to size category for organisms ≥ 10 μm and < 50 μm in minimum dimension.
