Manufacturers and stakeholders in the ballast water treatment equipment market have formed an association intended to give a voice to the industry's manufacturers.

The Ballast Water Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEMA) recently elected its inaugural board of directors at its first annual meeting.

"The paramount need for this association arose from the growing demand for well-founded information on the practicability of ballast water treatment technologies, as well as on the technical and environmental aspects of implementing ballast water management regulations worldwide," the US-based group said.

BEMA was formed following further delay of the 2004 IMO Ballast Water Convention implementation, announced at July's 71st Marine Environmental Protection Committee.

Board members include president Mark Riggio of Hyde Marine; vice-president Efi Tsolaki of Erma First; treasurer Birgir Nilsen of Optimarin; secretary Andrew Marshall of Coldharbour; general secretary Marcie Merksamer; and board members Steve Candito of Ecochlor.

The organisation will apply for non-governmental organization observer status at the IMO in 2018.

BEMA is scheduling meetings with numerous shipowner associations and industry trade groups to provide unbiased direction and advice to their membership about the impending retrofit period, currently scheduled to begin in September of 2019.

The association's key objectives are:

  • Represent and serve as a central, common voice for ballast water equipment manufacturers;
  • Provide shipping industry with expertise to balance directives and opinions of regulators, ship owners and environmental organisations on ballast water;
  • Participate at IMO level and give technical support to all stakeholders as outlined in Article 13 of the BWM Convention by teaching about ballast water treatment systems;
  • Provide and spur research and information exchange with industry insiders, governments and other organizations;
  • Mobilize volunteer, internal staff and paid professional expertise to provide the required range of service to members; and
  • Work with governmental agencies and allied trade and professional associations throughout the world.