SHIPOWNERS' group Baltic International Maritime Council (BIMCO) has launched a survey to determine methods ships use for the treatment of biofouling, reports London's Tanker Operator.
"We believe there is a lack of collective knowledge on biofouling management and treatment practices in the shipping industry," said BIMCO marine technical chief Aron Sorenson, who will be leading the study.
Intense debate is expected on contentious issues holding up the ratification of the UN's Ballast Water Convention at the IMO's October Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) 67th session.
"BIMCO would like to build a clearer picture of practice and performance for biofouling management, and how current antifouling technologies are performing on various ship types," said Mr Sorenson.
A new ballast water management guide has been produced by Witherby Publishing and edited by Nadeem Anwar, updated to include conclusions from last April's 66th MEPC meeting.
The 214-page guide includes the latest treatment options, as well as details of the systems that have either basic, or final IMO approval or approval other certified bodies up to April year.
It is expected that the convention will be passed, coming into effect 12 months later. The latest round of flag states to declare that ratification was close and should take the tonnage needed to over the 35 per cent level required, said the report.
There are more than 50 ballast water treatment systems at various stages of development and approval, 49 of which have been approved and three have been removed from the list.
The book explains the problems involved with the installation of such systems and the variations in the many different systems on offer, some of which use chemicals, that can cause problems with ballast tank coatings.
It is known that some owners are holding back from ordering systems until they know what is required and when. This book goes some way to explain the workings of the various systems putting the arguments both for and against certain methods of treatment, said the report.
WORLD SHIPPING
04 September 2014 - 19:03
Biofouling, ballast water treatment to impose new regulatory compliance costs
SHIPOWNERS' group Baltic International Maritime Council (BIMCO) has launched a survey to determine methods ships use for the treatment of biofouling, reports London's Tanker Operator.
WORLD SHIPPING
04 September 2014 - 19:03
Biofouling, ballast water treatment to impose new regulatory compliance costs
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