The seventy-fifth session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 75) was held from 16 to 20 November 2020 as a web conference due to the pandemic of COVID-19.

This statutory news provides information about the new IMO type approval standard of ballast water management systems (BWMS) applicable for systems installed on or after 28 October 2020. In addition, you receive recommendations on how to handle BWMS installation of the old IMO G8 type approval standard if installed prior to 28 October 2020, but that the commissioning survey is on or after that date.

This statutory news provides a summary of relevant guidance on various aspects of ballast water management such as on new IMO requirements for biological testing by sampling at commissioning of ballast water management systems and on contingency measures. It also includes recommendations for IOPP re-coupling and handling of typical operational challenges.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has recently issued shipping circulars related to the commissioning testing of ballast water management systems (BWMS) and the incorporation of contingency measures into ballast water management plans (BWMP).

With next IOPP renewal survey completion on or after 8 September 2019, a substantial number of vessels which presently only comply with the D-1 standard will be required to install a D-2 standard ballast water treatment system. This statutory news provides some recommendations on how to effectively install a system in due time.