米国: COVID 19- USCGによるアップデート- MSIB Number 14-20- 期限延長のお知らせ
米国USCGは2020年4月9日、Marine Safety Information Bulletin (IMSB)にて下記の情報を発信しました。現在のCOVID-19の爆発的な感染拡大が原因で、サプライチェーンの混乱や労働力の確保が困難となっているため、バラスト水処理システム(BWTS)の導入や試運転等に遅れが生じています。USCGはこのパンデミックの影響を受けた船舶のため、米国バラスト水管理規制の下、BWTS導入期限を2021年4月1日まで延長する方針で調整しています。パンデミックのためにバラスト水処理システムの導入が非現実的になったと言える船舶は下記の措置が取られます。
The USCG in its Marine Safety Information Bulletin (IMSB) dated 9 April 2020, notes that disruptions to supply chains and workforce availability in the current COVID-19 pandemic can lead to delays in the installation and the commissioning of ballast water treatment systems (BWTS). The Coast Guard is, therefore, adjusting its extension policy under the US Ballast Water Management Regulations for vessels which may be impacted by the pandemic, with BWTS compliance dates before 1 April 2021. In instances where the pandemic has made it impractical to perform necessary or scheduled work on a vessel;
- The USCG will extend all compliance dates up to 12 months, upon request. There is no need to provide any supporting documentation, but the vessel owner or operator will need to identify the vessels for the USCG to adjust the necessary documentation.
- In those instances where an extension of more than 12 months is needed, the owner or operator of a vessel may request an extension under 33 CFR 151.2036. Such requests should include documentation showing:
- The purchase of a BWTS and previous arrangements to have it installed;
- That the system could not be installed due to COVID 19 related restrictions, e.g. third-party verifications from the drydock or BWTS installer/manufacturer;
- The plans for installing the system, including a list of previously performed and scheduled work and an estimate as to when and how installation and commissioning will be completed.
- In instances where arrangements were made to convert an Alternate Management System (AMS) to a USCG type-approved system but the conversion was not completed due to the pandemic, an extension may be requested to continue operating the AMS under 33 CFR 151.2026(c) until the conversion can be accomplished. Documentation showing details and third-party verification(s) that the arrangements for bringing a vessel into compliance were previously made but not possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic should be included with a request for any extension longer than 12 months.
The Coast Guard advises that its office of Operating and Environmental Standards is operating with all personnel working remotely. As such, all extension requests should be scanned and sent in by email at Environmental_Standards@uscg.mil to expedite review. The review and approval of an extension request could take as long as 30 days. To access the USCG's IMSB Number 14-20 for full details of the guidance provided, please click here.
If Members have any questions on this update, or on the US Ballast Water Management Regulations generally, your usual contact at the Club would be pleased to assist you. For more Covid-19 updates, see our dedicated resource page.
