World News
Liberian Maritime Administration to Propose Date Extension on BWM Regs
The Liberian Maritime Administration (LISCR) says it will submit a proposal to the 70th session of the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 70) to enable certain ships an extended deadline beyond 2020 for the installation of adequate ballast water management (BWM) systems.
As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in September confirmed that the BWM Convention will enter into force on September 8, 2017 - a move that some analysts believe could provide tanker rates in particular with a boost as tonnage is taken out of service for special surveys or dry docking ahead of the convention's implementation.
"Having conducted additional assessments of IMO type-approved BWM systems intended for installation on Liberian-flag ships, the Liberian Administration has identified certain potential limitations, which have been listed on the Liberian Type Approval Certificate issued to manufacturers," said David Pascoe, Senior Vice President of Operations & Standards at LISCR.
Current IMO guidelines do not provide adequate detail to ensure BWM systems have been sufficiently challenged to demonstrate they can operate to the required discharge performance standard, regardless of where a ship may operate, says LISCR.
The organisation says that a deadline extension is required to allow more time for new systems to become available, as well as to provide shipowners with adequate time to select appropriate systems.
With the estimated cost of system installation to be as much $5 million per ship, Liberia says that shipowners may wish to renew a vessel's International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) certificate ahead of schedule to provide an additional 4 to 5 years in case new equipment becomes available.
Further, a Liberian study suggests that dockyard capacity for system installation will be significantly short of peak demand, which is expected to occur from 2020 to 2021.
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| VLSFO | MGO | |||
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| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
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| Global Average Bunker Price | 571.00 | 2.00 | 758.50 | 2.50 |
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