THE Chamber of Shipping of America has warned owners it will be more difficult for shipowners to apply for extensions of non-compliance with the US ballast water regulations.
When extensions for non-compliance are renewed or sought, owners will need to prove that none of the three current US type approved systems are “fit for purpose” for their ship.
As part of a review of the current state of play in the US, Chamber of Shipping president Kathy Metcalf has told Fathom News that extensions previously granted on the basis that there were no USCG type approved systems on the market may not be renewed. There are three US type-approved systems from Optimarin, Alfa Laval, and OceanSaver, with the US Goast Guard stating an applicaiton has now been submitted for a fourth.
Owners now have to either prove that the systems available do not meet the needs of a ship, or that there is simply insufficient supply of a “fit for purpose” system to be implemented within the given timeframe.
Uncertainty still remains regarding the advance of further US approved systems. Ms Metcalf states that there are at least 15 more systems in the queue for testing, but the timescale for certification is unknown.
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Fathom-News
editor@fathom-mi.com
