News

Albion Marine Solutions pleased to participate and exhibit at Asian Emissions Conference.

Albion Marine Solutions is Associate Member of Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems Association.

Given the apparently very light touch preparations for “2020” it might be assumed that plans are in place throughout the merchant shipping to commence compliance around June 2019 – only 19 months away from the start of this Asian Emissions Technology conference. The reality is confusion over the implications, cost, longevity and legal compliance effectiveness of the choices available.

This conference will inform delegates on the real story rather than the politics and marketing spin. Attendees will depart the conference with a full picture of the future shape of marine emissions controls, how bunkers suppliers will really respond to the 0.50%S demand and the consequences of current and future technology solutions.. 

On September 20th IMS group signed a purchase agreement with the OceanSaver Trustee to acquire all intellectual property, certificates and assets after OceanSaver’s bankruptcy filed on September 13th 2017. 

IMS group AS is a Norwegian group of companies focusing on leading technological solutions for the offshore and marine market. The HQ is in the south of Norway.Today the IMS group is the world-leading supplier of watertight doors, safety windows, incinerators, ejectors and fire-rated doors and windows, with independent offices in Norway, USA, Germany, Singapore, Vietnam, China – and several agents worldwide representing the group. 

This company is the mother company of IMS Technology, and also associated with TeamTec, a recognized maritime supplier. 

Albion Marine consider this acquisition as natural move by IMS group to expand the line of products for the maritime industry. Current and future customers of Oceansaver are in good hands now.  Albion Marine Solutions had Cooperation Agreement with Oceansaver for providing the project management and engineering services for retrofit of their systems.  We will continue to support our customers within the area of expertise.

In anticipation of the IMO BWM Convention entry in force on September 8th 2017  many Shipowners choose to de-harmonize the IOPP Certificates from HSSC.

The IMO MEPC.71 has adopted new time frames for implementation of the Convention and essentially postponed the BWTS retrofit requirements till after September 8th 2019. 

The revised Regulation B-3 of the BWMC, expected to be adopted at MEPC 72. The revised Regulation B-3 requires that existing ships with IOPP certificates due for renewal between September 8th  2017 and September 8th  2019, must comply with the D-2 standard no later than at the first IOPP renewal survey after September 8th 2019. The new revised timelines will require vessels with de-harmonized IOPP Certificates to comply earlier than if they were on the original IOPP Certificate renewal schedule.  In some cases, as early as two years.   Albion Marine recommend to their clients - Shipowners in such cases to review a new compliance schedule and consider to re-harmonize the IOPP Certificates. Essentially, consider reverting to the original schedule.

Many Flag States on request from the Shipowners would allow to reharmonize the survey schedule of the decoupled IOPP certificate with the HSSC.

Reharmonizing the survey schedule of the IOPP certificate with the HSSC shall be granted :

• In case the IOPP Certificate de-harmonization was performed within the HSS window - The renewal survey shall be carried out concurrently with an annual or intermediate survey as applicable. The new IOPP Certificate will be subsequently issued, with the same expiry date as the original certificate.
• In case the IOPP Certificate de-harmonization was performed outside the HSS window – The new occasional survey shall be carried out, reinstating the original schedule and to re‐issue the full term IOPP Certificate.

Albion Marine recommends to approach Flag States (Class on their behalf as appropriate) to discuss the options pertaining to each specific vessel. As always we are available to assist.

IMO  MEPC.71 reached a compromise agreement on the Convention  implementation schedule.

Albion Marine Solutions participated in MEPC.71 meetings and is pleased that agreement has been reached and industry can move on with planning and implementation. Shipowners of over twenty four thousand vessels will benefit from new implementation schedule for IMO Ballast Water Management Convention as they now have more time for the equipment selection. This is beneficial, especially considering an economic impact and latest developments with G8 Guidelines and USCG Type Approval process.   

 While 2019 seems far away, but it is not. Generally it takes 9 to 12 months from date the BWTS selected till equipment reaches the yard. In addition Shipowners should allow few months for Shipboard Survey, Equipment Selection and Feasibility Studies. Time to act is now.New timelines are also in line with USCG ballast water compliance policies, which generally aim that all ships dry docking in 2019 and later should have USCG TA BWTS fitted.