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BALLAST WATER: VIEWPOINT
Shipowners need a partnership-based approach to navigate ballast water bottlenecks, says Henrik Krull of De Nora
BYPASSING THE BOTTLENECKS
Henrik Krull Area Sales Manager, De Nora
It is often said that shipping is a regulation-driven industry. A complex patchwork of rules across multiple jurisdictions has always created difficulties for shipowners. Ballast water regulations are no exception, with two separate regimes that dictate two different standards and processes for the proper treatment of ballast water. Compliance adds costs, which can be considerable; shipowners must make significant investments in new ballast water management systems (BWMS) for their vessels, as well on crew training and administration. Non-compliance could cost far more in fines, vessel detentions, and potential legal action. Navigating ballast water implementation is set to be difficult enough for shipowners, especially as deadlines for implementation get closer. Suppliers need to be able to provide comprehensive support and flexibility, to help shipowners manage complex compliance logistics.
BOTTLENECKS ARE GROWING
All newbuild ships must install a BWMS today and existing ships have been required to install a BWMS at their next survey since 2019 before final implementation in 2024. There are currently tens of thousands of vessels trading without a BWMS installed and the vast majority of these will be retrofitted over the coming years. These timelines, embedded in global regulations, were always going to cause a peak in demand as owners rush to achieve compliance. Even before the covid-19 pandemic, we were expecting to see bottlenecks in the run up to the final implementation of the D-2. The pandemic, along with its side effects in the industry, has made all these factors more extreme; some suppliers have faced persistent supply chain disruption and a significant number of vessels have seen their dry docks relocated, cancelled, or postponed. This makes it even more complex to secure and install a system on time. Even after installing a system, problems
C L E A N S H I P P I N G INTERNATIONAL – Spring 2022
