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The challenges of preparing to meet the next generation of shipping regulations were very much on the minds of the participants at Germanischer Lloyd's (GL) latest exchange forum in Szczecin, Poland. Reducing the impact of global shipping on the environment and making improvements in efficiency are the focus of looming legislation that over the next few years, seems certain to change the maritime landscape.
More than 40 representatives from the maritime industry, shipping companies, ship management agencies, maritime journalists and stakeholders met to hear presentations from GL experts and discuss how the incoming regulations would impact upon the industry. Presentations examined the regulations in terms of their implementation, commercial implications, operational and design challenges, and how the shipping community must step up to prepare for their introduction sooner rather than later.
The Ballast Water Convention requires the further ratification of countries representing only 8% of global gross tonnage before it will enter into force, said Christopher Peickert, GL's Deputy Head of the Stability Department. Mr Peickert looked at the requirements of the regulation and at the many methods of treatment and systems available to shipowners and builders. Every vessel would need to have a Ballast Water Management (BWM) Plan prepared by a shipyard or design office, he noted.
To aid ship-owners GL has issued a guidance paper for Ballast Water Treatment Systems and a BWM Model Booklet is also available for GL customers. There are about 40 ballast water treatment manufacturers in the market, Mr Peickert said, and about 10 systems with full certification approval. The majority of manufacturers have designed their systems in modules to serve retrofitting requirements in narrow engine rooms as well as to cope with the need to treat high volumes when systems can run in parallel assembly. GL provides consulting services to owners and shipyards on spare space and additional power supply in the engine room in order to accommodate a possible retrofit of ballast water treatment systems.
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=101010
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