Updates at the MEPC 71 Meeting: Backward application of D-2 standard

The 71st meeting of the IMO Marine Protection Committee is taking place in London (July 3, 7, 2017), in 2 days 03, 4/07/2017 MEPC 71 has made significant progress in the discussion on the International Convention on the Management of Ballast Water and Ballast Scale (BWM Convention). Summary of important developments is as follows:

Back in time to apply the D-2 standard

MEPC agreed to delay the application of the D-2 standard by 2 years under the UK's compromise proposal. This will facilitate the existing vessels to carry out the first inspection of the first IOPP certificate after the effective date of the Convention (September 8, 2017) but before September 8, 2019. These vessels will only have to install the Ballast Water Treatment System (meeting standard D-2) at the second level of IOPP inspection after the effective date of the Convention. Thus, the fact that these ships are delayed for 5 years.

For ships without certificates of IOPP, MEPC, the decision must meet D-2 standards no later than September 8, 2024. Until that time, these vessels must meet the D-1 standard (ballast water exchange).

Legal effect

For legal effect, expected today (Friday, July 7, 2017) MEPC will approve a Resolution that includes the above agreed contents.

In addition, immediately after the entry into force of the Convention, the IMO Secretariat shall notify all Members of the new application term, intended to pass at the MEPC 72 meeting.

The meeting of 30 IMO General Assembly (November 2017) will also need to cancel Resolution A.1088 (28).

The full report of the MEPC 71 results will be published by IMO after the session ends.