IMO Accepts Delaying of BWMC Compliance Scheme

Ballast Water Centre The IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) approved a revised implementation scheme for ships relating to the BW Management Convention at its 71st session held last week, allowing for a two-year delay of compliance for existing ships. Under the new scheme, ships constructed before the conventions entrance into force September 8, 2017 will be allowed two-year delay of compliance depending on their MARPOL IOPP renewal survey schedule, which means: On or after September 8, 2019 September 8, 2017, in the event a MARPOL IOPP renewal survey is completed on or after September 8, 2014 and prior to September 8, 2017. If the survey is not completed, then compliance with the D-2 standard is required at the second renewal survey after September 8, 2017. For existing ships which are not subject to the MARPOL IOPP renewal survey, compliance with the D-2 standard is required as of September 8, 2024. Ships constructed after 8 September 2017 are obliged to comply with the convention once delivered from the yard. The expected postponement of compliance has already been pushed for jointly by Brazil, India, Cook Islands, Norway, the UK and Liberia as a fair and balanced” solution to the concerns raised on the previously agreed timescale for implementation of the convention. In addition, the new time-frame is expected to ease financial concerns of owners, who are already struggling with the industry headwinds. As the revised scheme has not been officially adopted it has been decided to consider the proposal for adoption at MEPC 72, scheduled from April 9 -13, 2018. However, since the United States is not signatory to the BWM Convention, the schedule does not apply to its waters, meaning that vessels discharging ballast water into the waters of the U.S. must comply with the US BW regulations.