Wartsila did not wait for the ballast water management convention (BWMC) to be ratified and had proactively planned and developed its range of solutions.
The Finnish company saw its local state authorities become the last IMO member to offer its acceptance to the BWMC, bringing the percentage of registered gross tonnage required for the ratification above the minimum level.
Compliance with the new convention will become mandatory from September next year.
Joe Thomas, director of ballast water management systems at Wartsila, told TradeWinds: “IMO ratification is a milestone. As a result, implementation timelines are now clear for everyone and all of the various stakeholders can better focus their attention to ensure individual needs are properly planned and catered for.”
The ratification brought a mix of reactions from the shipping industry.
Both Bimco and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) expressed their concerns about the prospect of shipowners installing expensive equipment, which later may not be approved for use in US waters.
Thomas said: “I am sure that many ship and fleet specific discussions are now being planned and that associated activity will quickly pick up in the coming weeks.
“The IMO have the task of closing any open issues ahead the entrance into force date of 8 September 2017.
“Significant investment has been made by the supplier community, so clarity on IMO implementation will allow further commitment to be made in order that we collectively provide equipment and service to assist customers in meeting their ballast water compliance needs.”
