the IHS Ballast Water Guide - RWO Marine Water Technology

Sponsored by IHS Fairplay Solutions Guide to Ballast Water Treatment Systems
Sampling
and port state control
Ballast water sampling and analysis
procedures and the implementation
protocol for port state control (PSC) were
re-examined and planned to be fi nalised
at MEPC 63, which was held from 27
February to 2 March. Two sets of draft
guidance were submitted to the IMO
Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and
Gases (BLG).
One draft covered guidance on sampling and
the other off ered advice on PSC issues. The
result was a split between a group including
the large fl ag states – including Panama and the
Bahamas – and an EU-led group.
The ICS has highlighted the chaotic state of
ballast water treatment rules after the IMO
BLG Sub-Committee agreed to alterations in
the draft ballast water sampling and analysis
guidelines that will be used by PSC.
Effect of BWT on coatings
This might be damaging to shipowners
were it to be adopted by IMO contrary to what
had previously been agreed by the MEPC.
Accordingly, the ICS issued a strong statement
at the end of the BLG meeting in January
about the direction that had been taken. Now,
with the support of many fl ag states, the draft
guidelines will be reconsidered.
This means, however, that the guidelines
associated with sampling and analysis will
not be approved until 2013 at the earliest,
which is expected to delay the additional
ratifi cations needed to bring the IMO
Ballast Water Management Convention
into force. The delay creates other problems
for shipowners, because of the fi xed dates
by which existing ships have to install the
potentially expensive treatment equipment
required by the convention.
A potential consequence of ballast water treatment – at least for those systems that make use of an
active substance – is the potential for damage to be caused to the wider ballast system. Coatings suppliers
have expressed concern about the effect of treated water on paint and the risk of corrosion of ballast
water tanks.
The confl ict has arisen because the paint, as the last layer on, is traditionally considered accountable
for the effect on the tank and the water it holds. Coating manufacturers argue that BWT systems
appeared after coatings were developed, so the onus is on the system-makers to test their products
against existing coatings. With no offi cial regulatory decision, the dispute rumbles on, but it is something
that owners selecting either a tank coating or a ballast water treatment system should consider before
coming to a fi nal decision.
One of the main elements of a ballast system is its piping. Seawater is highly corrosive and pipes often
need repair or replacement. Some new suppliers are promoting the advantages of composites over steel
and there do appear to be more benefi ts than downsides to the idea. Claimed advantages include lightness,
absence of corrosion and their potential for use in repairing damage to existing steel systems.
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