Page 74: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2024)

The Final Word

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Time is Ticking Toward BWM D-2

Discharge Standards Deadline

In the maritime world, time waits for no one—especially when it comes to regulatory compliance. The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention’s D-2 standards deadline is fast approaching, with a cutoff date of September 8, 2024. Compliance with BWM is not merely a recommendation; it has become a necessity.

By Andrew Marshall, CEO Ecochlor he D-2 standards outline the If your current system isn’t performing spection failures can lead to delays and maximum allowable levels as expected, consider a replacement. The long-term compliance problems. These of viable organisms in ballast risks are considerable now that we are at issues are far from petty annoyances;

T water discharge, including the end-game in the BWM trial period. they present real ? nancial and opera- speci? c harmful microbes. We should Purchasing a BWMS use to be an af- tional risks. Thus, if you are having dif- remember that these regulations are not terthought, with decisions mainly driv- ? culties with your BWMS, rather than just bureaucratic red tape but are impor- en by cost and type approval. However, spending a lot of money trying to ? x an tant measures designed to protect our feedback from shipowners has high- old system, consider replacing it with a oceans from invasive species. The ap- lighted the signi? cant impact BWMS new one. This choice can present a win- proaching D-2 standards deadline marks can have on port entry and exit ef? cien- dow of opportunity for shipowners—a a signi? cant turning point that has been cy. Issues such as poor performance, chance to rectify past choices and make a long time coming. If you haven’t yet lack of service support, complex operat- better, more informed decisions based installed a Ballast Water Management ing systems and recordkeeping for the on regulations that didn’t exist when the

System (BWMS), now is the time to act. crew, and Port State Control (PSC) in- initial decision was made. 74 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • August 2024

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