EcoOne and EcoOne Hybrid have received USCG type-approval (source: Ecochlor)
Facing evolving regulation, compliance testing, operational challenges and even the threat of cyber attacks in 2022, ballast water treatment remains of one of the shipping industry’s murkiest subjects, says Ballast Water Treatment Technology editor Craig Jallal
Over the course of 2022, Ballast Water Treatment Technology has followed the slow but steady evolution of treatment technologies for ecosystem-altering organisms lurking beneath the water used to stabilise vessels that cross oceans. Here’s a list of our editor’s favourites from the year:
BEMA finds its voice
The Ballastwater Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEMA) passed two important milestones in 2022. The first was accepting a seat at IMO and the second was issuing a position paper on US policy.
Early on in 2022, BEMA was rewarded for its years of campaigning for a seat at IMO by achieving Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Consultative Status. With this designation, BEMA contributes in a concerted fashion to the work of IMO by submitting technical input and providing specialised operational and technical expertise on ballast water management systems.
In September 2022, BEMA issued Type approval testing methods for ballast water management systems (BWMS) that render organisms nonviable in ballast water. The paper is a comprehensive review and response to US Coast Guard (USCG) policy and seeks answers and justification for some of the issues raised by the policy. It is a major step forward towards the industry speaking with one voice on significant issues.
USCG type-approvals reach a half century
In November 2022, the 50th BWMS achieved type-approval from the US Coast Guard. The honour went to the AquaStar BWMS from South Korea. This was the third BWMS to achieve USCG type-approval in 2022, and follows those of Langh Tech of Finland and Atlantium of Israel. At MEPC 78 in 2022, several other BWMS received IMO type-approvals.
Webinars: compliance testing and operational lessons learned
Installing an USCG or IMO type-approved BWMS and switching it on is not the end of the installation process. From June 2022, the absence of successful commissioning testing means that Class cannot issue a D-2 certificate, which is required from September 2024. There are many reasons for commissioning testing to fail and the solutions to overcome these will be explored in the first ballast water webinar of 2023, Vessel operators’ new and continuing BWMS installation and testing obligations, held 31 January 2023.
In the second webinar, Lessons learned from BWMS operation held 1 February, vessel operators and ballast water management system experts share lessons learned, ranging from best practice to PSC inspection to crew training. To take part in the Ballast Water Webinar Week as an expert or to sponsor, please contact Paul Dowling at:paul.dowling@.
Ensuring BWMS against invasive software
One the newer developments in ballast water management systems is the need to protect the system from nefarious activities. Ballast water is used to stabilise a vessel and maintain seaworthiness and the inverse is true in its absence. An internal or external cyber attack on the operating system could render the ballast water system inert, or in the worst case scenario, alter the trim sufficiently to cause on incident. According to Techcross, which is believed to be the first BWMS to achieve cyber-attack prevention security certification, the demand to develop cyber security for ballast systems was driven by clients. The certification of their security was granted by class, in this case LR, and now cyber concern is an issue, it is likely to become part of other BWMS providers’ marketing efforts to differentiate products while catering to a genuine threat. More cyber certifications are likely to follow in 2023.
Webinar: the future of ballast water treatment
At MEPC 79, held 12-16 December 2022, ballast water treatment has once again been on the agenda: with various proposals for amendments and unified interpretations; consideration of various operational matters affecting implementation of the BWM Convention; and approval of ballast water management systems. According to the meeting’s final report, the committee approved draft amendments to appendix II of the Annex to the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, related to the Form of the Ballast Water Record Book. Riviera will play host to a review of IMO progress on ballast water measures in the third ballast water webinar in 2023: The future of ballast water, held 2 February 2023, which will also explore what the future holds for the ballast water treatment sector. To take part in the Ballast Water Webinar Week as an expert or to sponsor, please contact Paul Dowling at:paul.dowling@.
