Alongside the international regulations on BWM some Port States already require at least ballast water exchange, with the US Authorities having already set up a fixed schedule for ballast water treatment installation for ships sailing in their waters that begins next year.
The IMO-MEPC (IMO - Marine Environment Protection Committee) has now drawn up a new treatment implementation schedule which should be adopted in November 2013 by the IMO Assembly.
Based on the new GL Guideline on Ballast Water Management that came into force on 1st September 2013, DNV GL Academy has revised its half day course to provide more clarification on this topic.
The revised course Ballast Water Management consists of 6 modules. After giving an overview of the environmental and economic problems caused by untreated ballast water (e.g. the spread of invasive species), all aspects of the Convention and important national regulations will be presented. The participants will then be informed about both methods of ballast water management, exchange & treatment, and introduced to alternative procedures. Practical aspects, such as the retrofitting of ships in service with treatment plants, sampling & analysis of treated ballast water, and class requirements and approval matters, will also be covered.