No.10 of 2009
12-02-2009
Applicable to: Ship owners, managers, operators, agents, masters, crew members, operators of terminals and shipyards, R & D organizations, equipment manufacturers and surveyors
1.Shipping Circulars Numbers: 1 of 2009, 8 of 2008, 19 of 2007, and 15 and 33 of 2006 drew the attention of the Shipping Community to various Guidelines adopted by IMO for the implementation of the BWM Convention and urged the Shipping Community to follow the Guidelines voluntarily pending entry into force of the Convention and Singapore's acceptance of the Convention. This circular updates the Shipping Community on IMO and MPA's preparatory work on the Convention.
2.The problem of invasive species in ballast water, first raised at IMO in 1988 is largely due to the expanded trade and traffic volume over the last few decades. The effects in many areas of the world have been devastating. Quantitative data shows the rate of bio-invasions is continuing to increase at an alarming rate, in many cases exponentially, and new areas are being invaded all the time. Volumes of seaborne trade continue overall to increase and the problem may not yet have reached its peak. IMO has estimated that about three-ten billion tonnes of ballast water are transferred globally each year, potentially transferring from one location to another species of sea-life that may prove ecologically harmful when released into a non-native environment.
3.The BWM Convention adopted by a diplomatic conference from 9 to13 February 2004 will require all ships to implement a Ballast Water and Sediments Management Plan. All ships will have to carry a Ballast Water Record Book and will be required to carry out ballast water management procedures to a given standard. Parties to the Convention are given the option to take additional measures which are subject to criteria set out in the Convention and to IMO guidelines.
4.The Convention will enter into force 12 months after ratification by 30 States, representing 35 per cent of world merchant shipping tonnage. 15 States, representing 14.24 per cent of world merchant shipping tonnage have ratified the Convention. They are: Barbados, Egypt, Kenya, Kiribati, Liberia, Maldives, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Spain, Syria and Tuvalu.
5.The MPA is studying the implications of the Convention and will consider Singapore's accession to the Convention when cost-effective and viable ballast water management systems (BWMS) are available in the market and all guidance documents needed for effective implementation of the Convention are finalized by IMO.
6.IMO has already developed a number of resolutions providing guidance on the implementation of the Convention. Some of these resolutions have been replaced by revised resolutions. A list of the current resolutions is at Annex A. The list of remaining guidance documents which are expected to be completed by 2010 is at Annex B. A list of BWMS which have received provisional, final or type approval is at Annex C. IMO BWM.2/Circ.15 and BWM.2/Circ.15-Add.1 at Annex D provide guidance on seeking IMO approval of BWMS using active substances in accordance with regulation D-3. These circulars also notify IMO Member Governments of the eighth and ninth meetings of the IMO Ballast Water Technical Group (GESAMP-BWWG) scheduled for 16 to 20 Feb 09 and 23 to 27 Mar 09 respectively. The meetings are expected to examine six of the 12 proposals received from IMO Member Governments for approval of BWMS that make use of active substances to facilitate consideration by MEPC 59 (Jul 09).
7.Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to Mr Zafrul Alam (Tel: (65) 6375 6204, Fax: (65) 6375 6231).
KHONG SHEN PING
DIRECTOR OF MARINE
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Annex A (BW Guidelines adopted by IMO so far)
G3 (Res.MEPC.123(53))-BW management equivalent complianc (AttachmentA)
G4 (Res.MEPC.127(53))-BW management plan (Attachment B)
G6 (Res.MEPC.124(53))-BW exchange (Attachment C)
G8 (Res.MEPC.125(53))- Approval of BWMS (Attachment D)
G9 (Res.MEPC.126(53))- Approval of BWMS using active substances (Attachment E)
G10(Res.MEPC.140(54)-Approval and oversight of prototype BW treatment technology programmes
G1(Res.MEPC.152(55)- Sediment reception facilities
G5(Res.MEPC.153(55)-BW reception facilities
G11(Res.MEPC.149(55)- BW exchange design and construction standards
G12(Res. MEPC.150(55)- Design and construction to facilitate sediment control on ships
G14(Res. MEPC.151(55)-Designation of areas for BW exchange
G7(Res.MEPC.162(56)-Risk assessment under Regulation A-4 of the Convention
G13(Res.MEPC.161(56)- Additional measures regarding BWM including emergency situations
Res. MEPC.163(56)-BW Exchange in the Antarctic Area
Res. A.1005(25)- A ship subject to regulation B-3.3 constructed in 2009 will not be required to comply with Regulation D-2 until its second annual survey, but not later than 31 Dec 2011
G9 (revised)(Res.MEPC.169(57)- Approval of BWMS using active substances
G2(Res.MEPC.173(58)-BW sampling
Revised G8(Res.MEPC.174(58)- Approval of BWMS
Res.MEPC.175(58)- Information Reporting on Type Approved BWMS
Note: Revised G8 and G9 replace original G8 and G9 adopted at MEPC 53.
Annex B (Guidance documents which are being prepared or will be prepared)
1.develop the Procedure for assessing same levels of protection,and approval for,other methods of ballast��water management under regulation B-3.7 of the BWM Convention;
2.develop a guidance document on how chemicals used to treat ballast water should be handled and stored on board, taking into account relevant existing IMO Conventions and Codes, as an MEPC circular or resolution as appropriate;
3.develop a guidance document on safety procedures for ship's crew against risks associated with BWMS that make use of active substances taking into account relevant existing IMO Conventions and Codes as an MEPC circular or resolution as appropriate;
4.Consider the text changes suggested in paragraphs 7 and 8 of document MEPC 56/2/8 regarding the GESAMP.BWWG Methodology;
5.develop an IMO circular to provide sampling and analysis protocols and to give advice on the uniform application of these protocols;
6.consider documents MEPC 56/2/4 (Japan) and MEPC 56/2/12 (Republic of Korea) regarding the issue of interpretation of dates in the BWM Convention, taking into account comments made by IACS during MEPC 56;
7.Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases (BLG) (Mar 09) to examine long term effects, maintenance & reliability of BWMS; and
8.Sub-committee on Flag State Implementation (FSI) to prepare PSC Guidelines based on G2 Guidelines.
Annex C (BWMS which have received basic, final or type approval)
Annex D
