Type approval
The IMO BWM Convention entered into force in September 2017 and applies to all ships and offshore structures that carry ballast water and are engaged in international voyages. Furthermore, the revised USCG BWM regulations came into force in 2012. Both will require ships to treat ballast water to ensure compliance with the D-2 standard (IMO) and the discharge standard (USCG). With our extensive knowledge of BWM and treatment technologies, we are ready to assist with type approval of BWM systems according to the latest requirements.
DNV is the worldwide leading body in type approval of ballast water management systems (BWMS) according to the IMO Guidelines. Furthermore, we were the first classification society accepted by the United States Coast Guard (USCG ) as an independent laboratory (IL) to evaluate and test technologies designed to treat ballast water on ships according to USCG regulations. We have developed a type approval programme for assessing BWMS during type approval according to the IMO and USCG regime.
In addition to type approval of BWMS, DNV also performs approval of test facilities engaged in environmental, land-based and shipboard testing of BWMS. We are leading a partnership with several biological and environmental test facilities worldwide to test and evaluate BWMS to the USCG regulations. For further details, please contact us or visit our FAQ page.
Overview of different technologies
There are a variety of treatment options for ballast water. Systems using UV, electrolysis or other chemical injection technologies have the largest market share today.