More time to install ballast water treatment plants
On 8th September 2017 the new International Ballast Water Management Convention will come into force. Newbuildings are required to have an approved ballast water treatment plant on board. After the convention has come into force, ships already in operation have to be set up at the next renewal of the IOPP certificate at the latest. The German flag offers shipowners up to the 8th September the option of having their IOPP certificate renewed before the end of its term to have enough time to set up the ship within the 5-year term of the certificate.
This way shipowners can, for their ships under German flag, unlink the IOPP certificate from the rest of the ship safety certificates and thereby the class term.
Shipping companies who are interested in renewing their IOPP certificate early are asked to contact the Ship Safety Division of BG Verkehr.
Further information on this topic is available in our latest ISM Circular.
