The US Coast Guard issued a bulletin advising that the installation and operation of ballast water management systems (BWMSs) on ships will require work specific to each vessel and its overall situation. Owners and operators should not expect that 'plug and play' will be appropriate.
The Guidance provides detail on the level of due diligence and other compliance related activities expected by the US Government of parties whose business activities run a risk of engaging in trades that may breach US sanctions.
A set of new rules on prevention and control of vessel-sourced pollution to inland waters (Rules on Administration of the Prevention and Control of Pollution Caused by Vessels to Inland Water Environment 2015) was issued by the Ministry of Transport of P.R.China ("MOT") in December 2015. The new Rules will repeal its 2005 predecessor when they come into force on 1 May 2016.
Members’ attention is drawn to the USCG Marine Safety Bulletin (MSIB) 005-19 introducing a new procedure for ship owners and operators operating in the North American (NA) or US Caribbean Sea Emission Control Area (ECA) to comply with the MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 18.2.4.
