Scroll

03 Jul 2019 / Singapore

Incorporation of contingency measures into Ballast Water Management Plan

Regulation B-1 of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention requires each ship to have on board and implement a Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP). Such a plan shall be approved by the Administration taking into account guidelines developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) had previously adopted, by resolution MEPC.127(53), the Guidelines for ballast water management and development of ballast water management plans (G4).

MEPC 73, had adopted resolution MEPC.306(73), to amend resolution MEPC.127(53). The amendments incorporate a new paragraph 4.3 in part B of the G4 guidelines. The new para 4.3 provides for contingency measures1 which are recommended to be included in the BWMP.

SRS managers are required to incorporate ship-specific “contingency measures” into the BWMP, which should subsequently be submitted to the RO [Recognised Organisation] for approval.

The RO is requested to verify that such “contingency measures” are incorporated in the BWMP of applicable SRS at the earliest opportunity but not later than the date when the D2 becomes mandatory for the ship. For existing SRS certified for D2 only, the contingency measures are to be incorporated in the BWMP by the next scheduled survey of the BWM Convention. Any change of Flag survey which is conducted out of scheduled-survey due range, shall not be regarded as the next scheduled survey. If a change of Flag survey is conducted within the survey due range and the BWMP does not have “contingency measures” incorporated in accordance to this circular, an application for temporary acceptance is to be submitted to MPA via the RO.

The inclusion of the “contingency measures” in the BWMP is also applicable for SRS of less than 400 GT, floating platforms, floating storage units (FSUs) and Floating Production Storage and Offloading Units (FPSOs) by 8 September 2024 or upon installation of BWMS onboard. SRS falling under this category should present an approved BWMP as required by the Convention for verification by the RO during the next statutory survey. This Administration is to be informed immediately by the RO if any applicable SRS is observed without an approved BWMP onboard.

The “contingency measures” developed shall take into account IMO BWM.2/Circ.62 on “Guidance on contingency measures under the BWM Convention”. SRS managers are advised to include as many practical and safe contingency measures in the BWMP as possible, so that the Master can be guided accordingly in the event of a BWMS failure.

All proposed “contingency measures” including ballast water exchange if considered, is to be approved to the satisfaction of the ROs. The “contingency measures” shall be a part of the BWMP. The complete BWMP (if already approved earlier) need not be reapproved and the ship specific “contingency measures” could be approved as an appendix or an addendum to the BWMP.

Having ship-specific “contingency measures” incorporated in the BWMP does not permit a SRS to discharge unmanaged ballast water without authorisation of the port Authority. Discharge of unmanaged ballast water from SRS is only permitted if authorised by the port Authority. The port Authority shall also be informed of the defective BWMS.

Any queries to this circular should be directed to Mr Ranabir Chakravarty at 63756210 or email: [email protected]

(For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at [email protected])

Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Shipping Circular No.10 of 2019 dated 1 July 2019

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

Make an
enquiry

enquiry icon

Find your
country

country icon