The ICS, a global trade association for shipowners, wants the IMO to accept a proposal from a coalition of governments concerning the implementation dates for installing new ballast water treatment systems.
The Brazilian plea is backed by the United Kingdom, India, Norway and Liberia and seeks to delay the installation deadline for the Ballast Water Management (BWM) equipment, reports American Shipper.
The BWM Convention aims to kill invasive marine species found it ballast water to avoid damaging impacts on local ecosystems where they are discharged.
As currently drafted, the BWM Convention requires existing ships to retrofit the new systems by their first International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) survey following the global entry into force of the new regulations, the ICS explained.
Said ICS secretary general Peter Hinchliffe: "If this proposal is agreed, this would allow shipping companies to identify and invest in far more robust technology to the benefit of the marine environment."
The Brazilian plea is backed by the United Kingdom, India, Norway and Liberia and seeks to delay the installation deadline for the Ballast Water Management (BWM) equipment, reports American Shipper.
The BWM Convention aims to kill invasive marine species found it ballast water to avoid damaging impacts on local ecosystems where they are discharged.
As currently drafted, the BWM Convention requires existing ships to retrofit the new systems by their first International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) survey following the global entry into force of the new regulations, the ICS explained.
Said ICS secretary general Peter Hinchliffe: "If this proposal is agreed, this would allow shipping companies to identify and invest in far more robust technology to the benefit of the marine environment."