Commissioning testing is now mandatory for ballast water management systems (BWMSs) installed on newbuilds and existing ships of all flag administrations when the initial BWMS commissioning survey is completed on or after 1 June 2022.
The test, to be conducted in accordance with IMO guidance /Rev.1, is required even if the system has been partially installed /or commissioned before 1 June 2022.
The commissioning test is also mandatory for the additional commissioning survey required after a change, replacement or significant repair of the BWMS necessary to achieve full compliance with the D-2 standard.
The test requires ballast water samples to be taken at the discharge line after treatment and analysed by the selected service supplier. Indicative analysis methods as listed in /Rev.2 may be used. Local ambient water should be used for testing regardless of the level of challenge this poses to the BWMS.
A written report should be provided to the surveyor and, if required, to the flag administration.
If the test is not successful, the possible reasons for non-compliance need to be investigated, and the commissioning test must be repeated in possibly another port.
