Class notation for improved performance of ballast water exchange systems.

Purpose

This class notation ensures compliance with the International Convention for the Control of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments that has not yet entered into force. When in force, the convention will require all ships to implement safe onboard ballast water exchange or ballast water treatment.

There are also a number of coastal states that have made documented ballast water exchange mandatory prior to ships entering their ports, and it is expected that more and more coastal states will follow suit.

Benefits

This notation is an improved standard to ensure compliance with the ballast water convention related to ballast water exchange where the exchange period is minimised. It ensures that the vessel can trade unrestrictdly using ballast water exchange until this system is replaced by ballast water treatment systems sometime in the future.

Features

The BWM-EP(d,s,f) rule standard ensures that the arrangement used for ballast water exchange is designed for its intended use and that the exchange sequence is carried out within a reasonable time. The method applied is indicated by one or more letters in the bracket, either d for dilution, s for sequential method, or f for flowthrough system.

Process

Approval and survey on board the ship according to the DNV rules.