Commissioning testing for BWMS installed onboard is required beginning June 1, 2022

On June 1, 2022, IMO Resolution MEPC.325(75) to the BWM #Convention entered into force. Following the successful installation of any ballast water treatment system, ballast water commissioning testing in accordance with BWM.2/Circ.70, rev1 must be performed. 

 

 

The major revision points are specified below.

 

  • Regardless of organism concentrations in the water, should use local ambient water.
  • Using indicative analysis methods, representative samples should be analyzed for the two size classes of organisms, namely ≥ 50 μm and ≥ 10 μm to < 50 μm, as specified in the D-2 standard. Microbes analysis is not required. 
  • Accordingly, ship operators are advised to observe the requirement for a commissioning test at any BWTS commissioning survey completed on or after June 1, 2022. The test requires ballast water samples at the discharge line after treatment by the new BWTS and analysis of the samples by accepted laboratories.  

 

Hence, mandatory commissioning testing/sampling shall be considered in your contract with your BWTS manufacturer for commissioning after June 1, 2022. Albion Marine Solutions is North America's only ABS-approved service provider for biological Ballast Water Treatment systems can assist with IMO-D2 and the US EPA VGP testing services at worldwide locations. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.