BALLAST WATER CONFERENCE – BREAKING NEWS FROM IMarEST!
Dr. Richard Everett of the US Coast Guard (USCG) will join Kathy Metcalf of the Chamber of Shipping of America and Consultant Jon Stewart, President of Int’l Maritime Technology Consultants, in an expert discussion of the US Ballast Water Management (BWM) regulations at IMarEST’s 3rd Ballast Water Technology Conference on 27 – 28 March in central London.
The USCG and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) BWM regulations are currently in force affecting all ships that discharge ballast water (BW) in US waters. You can find answers to your questions about the enforcement of the rules prior to the availability of USCG type approved BWM systems and the apparent inconsistency of proposed enforcement methods between the USCG and EPA. Network with the experts and learn about Alternative Management Systems (AMS), USCG Extensions and how to deal with the EPA rules, which do not allow for extensions. Learn also about the differences between the IMO BWM Convention and the US requirements and how this will affect shipping operations in US waters.
As conference chairman, Tom Mackey, Senior Consultant of Hyde Marine Inc, and co-Chairman of IMarEST’s Ballast Water Expert Group explains: “The US regs will again be addressed in a Panel Session, ‘The UV testing challenge and the availability of USCG accepted facilities’, including discussions of the current challenges that are holding up USCG type approval and creating considerable confusion and concern in the maritime community.”
The conference will also provide up-to-the minute information on the remaining impediments to full ratification of the IMO BWM Convention and what might still need to be fixed with the Convention. “You’ll also hear about the administrative, scientific and engineering challenges that all port state control agencies are facing, and the many challenges that ship owners and operators must deal with including; risk management, contingency planning and the retrofitting of BWM systems to existing ships, ” adds Tom Mackey.
Further information on all aspects of the IMarEST Ballast Water Technology conference, with its themes which include ‘IMO and U.S. Regulatory update’, ‘how shipowners can ensure compliance’ and ‘what to expect from Port State Control is available fromwww.imarest.org/bwt and from +44 (0)20 7382 2617, or events@imarest.org
About the Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)
The IMarEST is an international membership body and learned society for all marine professionals. The IMarEST (a registered charity) is the first Institute to bring together marine engineers, scientists and technologists into one international multi-disciplinary professional body. It is the largest marine organisation of its kind with a worldwide membership of around 15, 000 based in over 100 countries.
Working with the global marine community, the IMarEST promotes the scientific development of marine engineering, science and technology, providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas and practices and upholding the status, standards and expertise of marine professionals worldwide.
The IMarEST has a growing network of Corporate Marine Partners who benefit from a tailored programme to support each global organisation’s specific requirements. Packages provide companies with a competitive edge by investing in staff and supporting Initial and Continuous Professional Development, supporting local, national, or international promotional programmes, providing specialised recruitment solutions, accrediting training courses, creating bespoke networking events and providing company employees with access to one of the largest online knowledge resources – the IMarEST Virtual Library.
The IMarEST is a respected authority in every maritime country. It is a Non-Governmental Organisation with consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), observer status at the International Oceanographic Commission, and it has special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), which facilitates its access to other international intergovernmental meetings where its specialized marine expertise is of particular use, e.g., the United Nations meetings on Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) and the work of the International Seabed Authority on marine mining. It is a nominated and licensed body of the Engineering Council (UK), a member of the Science Council and has significant links with many other maritime organisations worldwide.
IMarEST runs a series of industry leading and technically excellent events and conferences as well as publishing internationally recognised publications: Marine Engineers Review (MER); Shipping World and Shipbuilder; Maritime IT and Electronics; Marine Scientist; and Offshore Technology. www.imarest.org
- As ballast water management heads ever-higher up the maritime agenda, IMarEST can provide experts from its Ballast Water Expert Group (see www.imarest.org/OurCommunity/
SpecialInterestGroupsSIGs/ BallastWaterExpertGroupBWEG. aspx) for instant opinions and/or prepared to write articles, or be interviewed, contact Judith Patten @ JPPR –judithpatten@jppr.uk.com and +44 (0)20 8241 1912 if you think we can help you. - Your invitation to attend the 3rd IMarEST Ballast Water Technology Conference –journalists are welcome at all IMarEST conferences. Please contact judithpatten@jppr.uk.com if you are interested in attending.
