IMO approves more BWMS

Nov 04 2016


At MEPC 70 last week, basic approval was granted for the ClearBal BWMS, submitted by Denmark.

This system employs a solution of two active substances, which are injected by a dosing pump and a control unit that adjusts the amount of the biocide injected into the ballast system suction pipeline based on the flow rate measurement recorded by a flow meter. 

Treatment requires a minimum 24-hour holding time in ballast tanks.

Final approval was also granted for the ECS-HYCHLORTM system, submitted by South Korea.

This system filters ballast water to remove organisms and suspended matter larger than 75 μm. The filter unit is bypassed during de-ballasting.  

The committee also said that four additional BWMS were granted type approval in accordance with the G8 Guidelines for BWMS. 

This brings the current number of IMO type approved BWMS to 69. 

We are still awaiting news from the US.  



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