MEPC Provisionally Accepts Scheme for Compliance with D-2 Standard

An amended implementation scheme for ships to comply with the D-2 biological standard under the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) was tentatively accepted at the 71st session of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 71), American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) informed.

The scheme, if approved by the committee on July 7, will be circulated to member states for adoption during MEPC 72 scheduled to be held from April 9 -13, 2018.

Under the proposal, ships constructed on or after September 8, 2017 are to comply with the D-2 standard on or after that date.

Vessels built before September 8, 2017, are to comply with the D-2 standard at the first MARPOL IOPP renewal survey completed on or after:

•  September 8, 2019 (Reg B-3/10.1.1); or
•  September 8, 2017, only if a MARPOL IOPP renewal survey is completed on or after September 8, 2014, but prior to September 8, 2017 (Reg B-3/10.1.2).

If the survey per Reg B-3/10.1.2 is not completed, then compliance with the D-2 standard is required at the second MARPOL IOPP renewal survey after September 8, 2017, only if the first MARPOL IOPP renewal survey after September 8, 2017, is completed prior to September 8, 2019, and a MARPOL IOPP renewal survey was not completed on or after September 8, 2014, but prior to September 8, 2017 (Reg B-3/10.2).

For ships constructed before September 8, 2017 and which are not subject to the MARPOL IOPP renewal survey, compliance with the D-2 standard is required not later than September 8, 2024 (Reg B-3/5).