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Ocean Exchange News

10 Jun 2016

[Op-Ed] Ballast Water Facts, Not Hype

Photo: American Great Lakes Ports Association

An Op-Ed issued by the Lake Carriers’ Association, American Great Lakes Ports Association and Great Lakes Maritime Task Force addresses the “exaggerations and inaccuracies” surrounding the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA), and explains how the legislation will best protect the Great Lakes from aquatic nuisance species. Recently, several articles, editorials and letters have perpetuated exaggerations and inaccuracies about the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA). We believe the public deserves the rest of the story.

01 Oct 2013

Thordon Receives Ocean Exchange Industry Challenge Award

(L-R) Paige Siplon, The Ocean Exchange; Dave Marshall, Regional Manager - Americas for Thordon Bearings Inc.; Craig Carter, Director of Marketing & Customer Service for Thordon Bearings Inc.; Jason Ball, Executive Director Solutions for The Ocean Exchange

Thordon Bearings Inc. received this year’s Industry Excellence Award at the third annual Ocean Exchange on Sunday, September 29, 2013 at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center in Savannah, Georgia. Recognized for eliminating oil discharges from commercial ships using seawater lubricated propeller shaft bearings, Thordon was one of three international recipients of the award. The Industry Excellence Awards recognize and honor corporations and organizations implementing tangible solutions that shape the future today.

29 May 2013

California Clarifies BWMS Position

Installation or use of an USCG accepted Alternative Management Systems (AMS) does not waive a vessel's requirement to meet the California Code of Regulations ballast discharge performance standards. In accordance with the California Public Resource Code and California Code of Regulations, vessels may manage ballast water using an alternative, environmentally sound method approved by the California State Lands Commission or the USCG as being at least as effective as ballast water exchange, using mid-ocean waters, in eliminating nonindigenous species. As any USCG accepted AMS must demonstrate efficacy at least as effective as mid-ocean exchange…

06 May 2013

Ocean Exchange Calls for Innovative Solutions

Photo: Ocean Exchange

Solutions submitted to the third annual Ocean Exchange should have the potential to generate economic growth and increase productivity while reducing the use of nature’s resources and waste production. This year’s competition, with a theme of LEAP TO ZERO+, represents Ocean Exchange’s continued search for entrepreneurs and businesses from around the globe with innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing problems or an interest in those solutions. Ultimately, The Ocean Exchange…

26 Apr 2013

Ocean Exchange Seeks Solutions Submissions

Photo: Ocean Exchange

The third annual Ocean Exchange, to be held in Savannah, Georgia, has selected the theme of Leap to Zero+ as it continues its search for entrepreneurs from around the globe with innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. Solutions submitted should have the potential to generate economic growth and increase productivity while reducing the use of nature’s resources and waste production. Ocean Exchange seeks innovative, proactive and globally scalable solutions with working prototypes and applications that can cross industries, economies and cultures.

04 Nov 2011

STUDY: Ballast Water Measures Are Falling Short

Invisible passengers. When ships discharge their ballast water, microscopic plankton, crab larvae and other potentially  harmful species often spill out as well. (Credit: SERC)

Invasive species have hitchhiked to the U.S. on cargo ships for centuries, but the method U.S. regulators most rely on to keep them out is not equally effective across coasts. Ecologists from the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center have found that ports on the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico are significantly less protected than ports on the West Coast. Invaders are frequently introduced across oceans and along coastlines through the ballast water in ship hulls, water that often includes plankton and larval stages of marine and estuarine species.

19 Sep 2011

Regulation of Vessel Discharges

Matthew Valcourt

Regulatory burdens, those here and now coming, translate into a tale of many acronyms. By Matthew Valcourt (taken from our September 2011 MarineNews print edition). The latest trend to further regulate vessel emissions and discharges will continue to give vessel owners and operators – already burdened with numerous regulations when plying international and inland waters – more sleepless nights. These include the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS), the Clean Water Act (CWA)…

05 Jan 2004

USCG Seeks Ballast Water Treatment Testing Participants

The U.S. Coast Guard announced the beginning of a program aimed at facilitating the installation of experimental shipboard ballast water treatment systems. Foreign and domestic vessel owners that participate in the program may be granted equivalencies to U.S. ballast water regulations for participating vessels. The Shipboard Technology Evaluation Program (STEP) is one of several Coast Guard initiatives aimed at reducing the introduction of nonindigenous species (NIS) to U.S. waters through ballast water. The impacts of NIS on our environment, food supply, economy, health and overall biodiversity of our waterways are significant and increasing. "This is one of the many things we are doing to protect our waters," said Capt.

28 Jul 1999

Measures Announced to Prevent Environmental Damage from Harmful Aquatic Plants and Animals

The USCG announced measures to prevent environmental and health problems resulting from harmful aquatic plants and animals carried from abroad in ships' ballast water, a move reflecting the Department of Transportation's commitment to controlling and preventing the introduction of these species. A new interim rule, effective July 1, requires ships operating outside of U.S. waters to report their ballast water management practices. It also establishes voluntary ballast water management guidelines for all waters of the U.S. The USCG is taking these actions to implement the National Invasive Species Act (NISA) of 1996. Current federal regulations…