IOPP decoupling threatens BWM installation schedule

Some flag states are allowing ship owners to separate their International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) certificate from the harmonised system of survey and certification (HSSC). As the IMO’s BWM Convention requires installation of a compliant system by the date of the first IOPP survey after entry into force (on September 8), bringing forward the survey to before entry into force would enable operators to postpone compliance by up to five years, to the date of the next survey.

But Eirik Nyhus, director, environment and international regulatory affairs, DNV GL, expressed concern that decoupling IOPP surveys could threaten the planned five-year installation timeframe associated with the convention.

“The distribution of installations for roughly 36,000 ships over five years was based on an [IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee] assembly resolution in 2015 linking installation to the IOPP survey,” said Nyhus. “If the IOPP decoupling picture stands, most installations from the first three to three and a half years of the schedule will get tacked on to the end of the five-year period. You get an implementation schedule that is really not feasible.”

The MEPC is due to meet in July, when further discussions of the implementation schedule are expected. However the situation will be difficult to resolve, according to Nyhus: a five-year installation timeframe is likely to be retained, although there may be discussion about when the process starts, and it would be extremely difficult to introduce a mechanism other than IOPP on which to determine installation dates.

“I am concerned that we come out of MEPC 71 maybe having pushed things into the future, but not changing the fundamental picture away from this skewing of installation distribution,” he added. “We see no silver bullet but we really need certainty, which has been sorely lacking and would be very good for all involved.”

Tore Andersen, CEO of system supplier Optimarin, echoed those concerns. He noted that the original installation plan was achievable, but would be a struggle if many owners proceed with early IOPP surveys. Meanwhile the company, which obtained US Coast Guard type approval of its system in December, is working to reduce lead times for supplying systems to operators. Andersen noted that the company is building stocks of system components as it seeks to cut the lead time from six months to four.

Given the convention’s entry into force in September and a current lead time of six months, Optimarin had expected to see a significant increase in orders already. But Andersen reported that, while enquiries had grown considerably since obtaining USCG approval, this had yet to translate into a step change in orders taken.