Conference: "Implementation of the BWMC in Russia. What needs to be done by September?" will be held in Moscow, at the Chamber of Commerce of the Russian Federation, on 27 February 2017.
The Conference is organized by Media Group PortNews with the assistance of the Russian Ministry of Transport.
The Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC 2004) will enter into force on September 8, 2017. The BWMC was adopted in order to prevent or minimize the spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to another, by establishing standards and procedures for the management and control of ships' ballast water and sediments
Under the Convention, the ports and terminals where cleaning or repair of ballast tanks occurs, are required to have adequate reception facilities for the reception of sediments, taking into account relevant guidelines of IMO. All possible efforts shall be made at such treatment facilities to avoid a ship being unduly detained or delayed. Besides, the sediment reception facilities shall take such steps as will ensure that the ship shall not discharge Ballast Water until it can do so without presenting a threat of harm to the environment, human health, property or resources
All ships in international traffic are required to manage their ballast water and sediments to a certain standard, according to a ship-specific ballast water management plan. All ships will also have to carry a ballast water record book and an international ballast water management certificate. The ballast water management standards will be phased in over a period of time. As an intermediate solution, ships should exchange ballast water mid-ocean. However, eventually most ships will need to install an on-board ballast water treatment system.
The Parties involved should ensure training of the personnel involved, appoint an officer who would be responsible for implementation of a Ballast Water and Sediments Management Plan.
Panel discussions include the following topics:
- What vessel types are subject to the BWMC?
- What exemption the Russian Ministry of Transport is ready to provide?
- What shipboard BWM systems are compliant for installation?
- What are the plans to build at Russian ports and abroad sediments reception facilities under the BWMC?
- Who is ready to supply compliant equipment to the Russian market?
- What is the cost of the BWM systems installation / refitting for private businesses?
- Who will benefit from the BWMC requirements?
List of invited participants includes the Russian Ministry of Transport, Rosmorrechflot, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, harbormasters of major seaports of Russia, the Russian Chamber of Shipping, the Association of Commercial Sea Ports, shipping companies, shipbuilding and ship repair yards, stevedoring companies, manufacturers of marine equipment, naval architectures, ship agents, experts in industrial technology and logistics.
Applications for registration should be mailed to snitko@portnews.ru till 20 February 2017.