ECM Client Alert 16-2018: Canada Ship Security Bulletin 07/2018 - Update to Ballast Water Reporting Form
Transport Canada has issued Ship Safety Bulletin 07/2018, introducing updates to the Canadian Ballast Water Reporting Form. These requirements apply with immediate effect to all vessels designed or built to carry ballast water that arrive in Canada, regardless of whether they intend to ballast or de-ballast.The updates to this form have been made to comply with the requirements of the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC), which entered into force on September 8th, 2017 and requires vessels entering Canadian waters to manage their ballasted tanks in one of the following ways:
Carry out an exchange
Use an onboard ballast water treatment system
Retain ballast on board
Pump ballast to either a reception facility onshore OR another vessel that can treat or store ballast water.
The USCG’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance (CG-CVC) has issued an updated guidance outlining how it will enforce Marpol Annex VI requirements, including the IMO 2020 Sulphur cap, within the two US. Emission Control Areas (ECA). Initial guidance on enforcement is also provided to USCG units not within either ECA. Please see ECM Maritime Services.LLC’s Client Alert 1-2020 for full details. Members are asked to note that the guidance previously provided in CG-CVC Policy Letter 12-04 Change 1 has been cancelled with immediate effect.
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has issued a new Advisory A‐15‐2017 which clarifies certain issues relating to requirements under the ACP's fuel regulations for all vessels transiting the Panama Canal.
The US Coast Guard has issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) updating their enforcement policy under the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Extension Program.
