MPA Singapore has issued a circular reminding shipowner that the amendments to the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea (Ballast Water Management) Regulations will come into force on 1 June.
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the IMO had adopted amendments to the “International Convention for the Control and Management of ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004” at its seventy fifth sessions. The amendments to the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Regulations give effect to this resolution.
MEPC 75 adopted amendments regarding commissioning testing of ballast water management systems and the form of the International Ballast Water Management Certificate.
More specifically:
- An initial survey before the ship is put in service or before the Certificate required under regulation E-2 or E-3 is issued the first time. This survey shall verify that ballast water management plan required by regulation B-1 complies fully with the requirements of this Convention. This survey shall confirm that a commissioning test has been conducted to validate the installation of any ballast water management system by demonstrating that its mechanical, physical, chemical and biological processes are working properly.
- An additional survey shall be made after a change of the material necessary to achieve full compliance. The survey should ensure that any change has been effectively made so that the ship complies with the Convention. When an additional survey is undertaken for the installation of ballast water treatment system, this survey should confirm that a commissioning test has been conducted to validate the installation of the system by demonstrating that its processes are working properly.