ABS, provider of classification and technical services to the marine and offshore industries, hosted a Ballast Water Management (BWM) Workshop for ship owners with BWM systems installed onboard their vessels. The full-day session covered a range of issues, including installation, commissioning and operational challenges associated with BWM systems.

“This workshop is another example of how ABS serves as a trusted advisor and independent voice, facilitating dialogue and discussions around the most pressing technical and operational challenges,” says ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. “We bring stakeholders together to address challenges and find a smarter path forward.”

With two sets of requirements, the industry is looking for the best way to comply. There is still little operational experience with BWM systems, so ABS workshops like this one that facilitate discussion and information sharing benefit industry at large, helping to resolve operational issues, improve systems and provide input for future regulatory discussions.

To help focus discussion and drive the agenda, workshop participants completed a survey. In analysing the responses, ABS learned that 58 percent of the systems installed on the vessels of 27 owners are being operated. Aggregated results allowed common issues – as well as any outliers – to be identified. Workshop attendees spent a large portion of the day reviewing the best practices that support successful installations, exploring both common and unique challenges resulting from different applied technologies, various ship types and sizes, operational and environmental conditions, operating frequency, crew competencies and BWM system maintenance requirements.

“ABS organised discussions that allowed us collectively to dive deep into the operational challenges and share insights into best practices for ballast water management systems,” said Chemical Transportation Group, Inc. Chief Operating Officer Steve Laino. “We walked away from this workshop with a more thorough understanding of the technologies available, useful knowledge gained from hearing about challenges faced by others and valuable insight that will allow us to implement a smarter approach to BWM issues moving forward.”

Tags: ABS