Imagine this scenario—your ship’s ballast water management system (BWMS) has become the single most troublesome piece of equipment every time your vessel enters port. Initially, it was a minor consideration, but now, it generates constant tension and operational challenges. Complex operating requirements leave your crew struggling, and non-existent service support leads to vessel downtime and potential revenue loss. To top it all, some BWMS still require expensive United States Coast Guard (USCG) Type Approval updates and were not designed with energy efficiency in mind.
The harsh reality is that many existing BWMS, though compliant when installed, are now unable to meet the strict standards set out in the IMO BWM Convention and the USCG protocols. These issues are not just minor inconveniences for shipowners—they represent a trifecta of problems involving monetary losses, compliance liabilities, and operational inefficiencies.
Amidst these challenges, one question stands out—is it time to consider a new ballast water management system rather than trying to patch up the old one? Read the full article by David Swindells, published by NAFSGreen World Shipping News at https://ecochlor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/David-Swindells.Inadequate-BWMS.pdf