Ballast water problem
Since the ballast water convention came into force on September 8, 2017, it is now in the coexistence state of D-1 and D-2 treatment, If IMO fails to issue a new circular, all vessels shall be replaced with D2 treatment mode on September 8, 2024 according to the current requirements.
Some friends always ask what kind of equipment should be installed on their ships. It should be clear to see the table below.
- the date of self delivery of new ships built on or after September 8, 2017 shall meet the D-2 standard.
- For the existing ships built before September 8, 2017, it is allowed to postpone the renewal of the first international oil pollution prevention certificate (IOPP certificate) from 2 years to September 8, 2019 or later to meet the D-2 standard.
- In spite of the above (2), for the existing ships that completed IOPP renewal on or after September 8, 2014 and before September 8, 2017, they shall meet the D-2 standard at the first IOPP renewal inspection after September 8, 2017.
- For ships that are not suitable for IOPP renewal inspection, the D-2 standard shall be met from the time determined by the competent authority but not later than September 8, 2024 (this means that the Convention shall cover small boats and non Contracting State ships without IOPP certificate).
Several problems to be solved
- Can D-1 be used after D-2 installation?
The current mainstream practice is: according to the time node, once the ballast water Convention comes into force for the ship, D-2 equipment should be loaded smoothly.
From this moment on, the ship should use D-2 equipment to treat ballast water, and the relevant ballast water certificate and ballast water management plan should be changed to D-2.
So, can D-1 work in this case?
The answer is no use!
It can be used in the emergency state marked on the certificate. In case of D-2 equipment failure, the D-1 mode can be used, which needs to be reported to relevant parties. - Although the ship is suitable for D-1 ballast water treatment, once D-2 equipment is installed, what should be done?
In this case, the D-2 equipment shall be in good condition and the crew shall be familiar with the operation. PSCO has issued such defects.
- After the enforcement of D-2, can vessels sailing only in China, Japan and South Korea be exempted from the installation of D-2 equipment?
The answer is no! D-2 processing equipment is also required. At present, China, Japan and South Korea can encourage each other to use D-1 to deal with ballast water.
Once D-2 is implemented for all ships, these ships should also be equipped with ballast water treatment devices, because the ballast water Convention does not have the concept of navigation area, unless China, Japan and South Korea jointly exempt each other, it seems unrealistic. You don’t have to wait and see! - At present, the ships marked D-1 + D-2 on the ballast water management certificate need to change the certificate after the compulsory entry into force?
If D-2 is imposed on the ship, D-1 shall be deleted from the ballast water management certificate and D-2 shall be listed. In order to use D-1 in case of emergency.
- Can ballast tanks be used to load domestic sewage?
With the strengthening of domestic sewage control in China, some ships use ballast tanks to hold domestic sewage,this kind of operation can avoid fines, and defects cannot be avoided.
- How to deal with illegal discharge of ballast water? Will there be a fine?
At present, it is the experience accumulation period of Ballast Water Convention (from September 8, 2017 to December 31, 2023). Normal operation and accidental discharge caused by it are not allowed to be detained and fined.
Of course, there is a difference between accidental discharge and illegal discharge. For malicious illegal discharge, ships can be detained. As for fines, the amount of fines varies according to different situations.
With the implementation of the ballast water convention, as a part of the production of the ballast water filtration system, we are constantly upgrading our series of ballast water filter elements, at present, we have two types of products with rich production experience:
Sintered metal ballast water filter element
Wedge wire ballast water filter element
We are looking for global partners to contribute to the ballast water management system.