Ballast Water Management Technologies News

The IMO issued its list of approved ballast water management technologies. The list is divided into three sections: (1) systems which have received type approval certification; (2) systems that make use of active substances which have received basic approval; and (3) systems that make use of active substances which have received final approval. View the list at http://www.hklaw.com/content/maritime/mardocs/BWM_Technologies.pdf. (Source: Holland & Knight)

In response to the growing trend of state laws regulating ballast water discharges from ships, U.S. ports plan to develop a legislative proposal that would: 1) establish a strong Federal ballast water management program; and, 2) preempt state legislation in this area. During the Monday, October 16, meeting of AAPA's U.S. Legislative Policy Council (USLPC) representing the Association's 84 U.S. port members, Chairman of the Board J. Robert Bray, Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority, led the discussion of concepts for legislation in the area of ballast water and introduction of nonindigenous species. The USLPC voted unanimously to adopt the position which reflects Association members' growing concern over the development of new regulations in this area.