FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Implementation of IMO´s BWMC in Norway

Geir Høvik HansenKarin Margrethe Vedø

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Ballast Water Facts

• Transportation of goods worldwide: 80% on ships

• Ballast water (fresh, brackish or seawater) – stabilization and weight control

• Annual release in the order of 10 billion tons

• Up to 200 000 m3 per ship• Introduction of new species

to new locations• At least 3-4000 species

continously on the way

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Introduced species per region

Gollasch, 2008

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Introduced species: Chatonella sp. (alga)

Situation in May 1998 (Photo courtesy of Remote Sensing group at CCMS Plymouth Marine Laboratory)

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

• Introduced by way of ballast water to the Black Sea

• Catastrophic effects on fisheries

• Demonstrated in Skagerrak and the west-coast of Norway

• Probable cause of death in salmon farms in 2008

Introduced species: Mnemiopsis leidy (North-West Atlantic comb jelly)

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

6

Challenges to be met in Norwegian waters

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Basis for introducing national regulations on ballast water• Increased concern about introduced invasive

species in the population• Political pressure• Governmental willingness to establish national

regulations prior to entry into force of the BWMC• In order not to disfavour Norwegian ships to

foreign:– Regulation D-1: Ballast Water Exchange Standard

mandatory– Regulation D-2: Ballast Water Performance

Standard voluntary

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

8

The ratification process

• BWMC adopted in 2004

• The Government – October 2006

• The Parliament – December 2006 –

legal base for the regulation

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

9

Regulation on BWM – the process

• Assignment to the Maritime Administration

• Reports from the DNV• Draft regulation• Public consultation• Regulation sanctioned• Proposed amendments and

new public consultation• Entry into force

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

10

Regulation on BWM - scope

• Scope of application– All ships constructed to carry BW (Norwegain and

foreign)– Territorial waters and economic zone,

including territorial waters surrounding Spitzbergen and Jan Mayen

– Except:• Ships exclusively sailing in Norwegian territorial

waters and economic zone• Ships with permanent BW in sealed tanks• Ships <50 m and max 8 m3 BW-capacity

• Norwegian BW regulation in English

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

11

Regulation on BWM - exceptions

• Exceptions– Ingress or discharge allowed if

• Resulting from damage to ship or equipment• Necessary for safety of ship or lives

– Ad hoc more stringent regulations • Increased risk

• NMD may grant exemptions• Application• Necessary for specific reasons• Justifiable

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

12

Regulation on BWM – BW exchange

• 95% volumetric exchange• 200 nm from nearest land

and 200 m depth• 50 nm from nearest land

and 200 m depth• Designated areas• Territorial waters

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

13

Regulation on BWM – exchange areas

• Criteria for designated areas

– Navigational constraints– Risk assessment– Oceanographic– Physicochemical– Biological– Important resources– BW operations

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

14

Regions and areas for BWM

The region consists of the following areas:

I The Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea

II The North Sea

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Designated BW exchange areas

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

16

Regulation on BWM – treatment

• Voluntary• Approved technology• Performance standard

(D-2)• Prototype technology

test programmes

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

17

Regulation on BWM – reception facilities

• Assessment of BW exchange in harbours

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

18

Regulation on BWM – BWM plan

• Each ship• Specific and detailed• Officers in charge• Language• Approval

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

19

Regulation on BWM – record book

• Ballast water operations

• Accidental or other exceptional discharge

• Language

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

20

Regulation – survey & certification

• Norwegian ships• Gross tonnage of 400 and above• Utilising BW treatment technologies• Exception: mobile offshore units

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Enforcement of the BWM regulation

• The Norwegian ballast water regulation enters into force 1 July 2010

• §9: Each ship shall have on board a ballast water and sediment management plan (BWMP)

• Due to time needed for approval of BWMPs, a letter of confirmation will be accepted stating receiving of the application at the class society

• Expected time schedule for approval must be included in the letter of confirmation

• NMD anticipates that the ship follows the BWMP and that this is logged

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Enforcement of the BWM regulation – Fines

• Administrative fines may be imposed on a master, on other persons working on board, on the shipping company and others for breaching the shipping company’s duties in respect of environmental safety

• Fine value: 60 000 NOK or above; individuals 15-45.000 NOK

• In case of serious environmental crime: imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

BWM – Impact study

• Curent impact study: focused on BW exchange• Economic impacts

– Industry: BWMP, <30 000 NOK per ship– Maritime Administration: 2-3 man-year

• Benefit: Assumed reduced risk for introducing harmful invasive species, especially at the great oil and gas terminals

• Concluded that the benefits will exceed the total costs

• When incorporating ballast water performance standard, D-2, expanded impact study necessary

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

Recognised problems during the legislative process

• Detection of violations – compliance control?

• Exchange areas – risk reducing effect?• Fishing vessels (RSW tanks)

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

25

Conclusion

• Limited effect until treatment is required

• Exceptions, exemptions• Fines may have preventive

effect• Industry: Incentive to start

the process of BWM implementation

• Basis for full implementation of the convention upon entry into force

FOR SAFETY AT SEA IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT

26

The Norwegian Maritime Directorate

www.sjofartsdir.no