BWM Convention problems go unsolved

Voicing its concern in a detailed written submission, the industry – represented by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, Intecargo, Intertanko, World Shipping Cargo (WSC), CLIA and IPTA – addressed concerns about the “lack of robustness” of the current IMO type-approval process.

Industry concerns also included the criteria to be used for sampling ballast water during Port State Control inspections and the need for ‘grandfathering’ of existing type-approved equipment that has already been fitted.

But, governments at the meeting decided not to address these proposals until after the Convention has entered into force.

The industry concerns were shared by a number of flag States. As a result, the MEPC has decided to look into conducting a study of the problems raised.

It is thought that this proposed study will take at least three years to complete, with no guarantee as to what actions might come from it.

Once the Convention enters into force, shipowners will collectively be required to invest billions of dollars in ballast water treatment equipment.

The shipping industry says it maintains that legal changes need to be made to make the ballast regime “truly global and fit for purpose”. It therefore intends to make another full submission outlining concerns and proposing a possible way forward to the next IMO MEPC meeting in October 2014.

In the meantime, the shipping industry says it cannot recommend that further member states ratify the BWM Convention until confidence building measure on resolving implementation concerns have been set in place.