News: New ballast water management reporting form

On 20 July 2020 the United States Coast Guard (USCG) introduced a new Ballast Water Management Reporting Form (which can be viewed in the attachment box) which will replace all previous reporting forms. It should be noted that with the introduction of the new Ballast Water Management Reporting Form, the expired Reporting Forms will no longer be accepted by the National Ballast Information Clearinghouse (NBIC) with immediate effect.

All ships calling at US ports are required to submit a Ballast Water Management Report, unless they are exempt under the 33CFR 151.2015. This includes ships, both foreign and domestic, that are bound for ports or places in the US and are equipped with ballast water tanks, regardless of whether the vessel operated outside the US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Ships that declare No Ballast On Board (NOBOB) and ships not discharging ballast are not excluded from the requirement.

This reporting form introduces a new requirement to report the date of their last dry dock to allow USCG to determine the ship’s compliance date as specified in 33CFR 151.1512 & 151.2035. Furthermore, the 'Alternative BW management conducted, per instructions from COPT' yes/no question has been removed. 

A civil penalty of up to $27,500 per day or Class C Felony charge may be imposed for non-submittal of the form. Fines for non-compliance with US Federal Ballast Water Management requirements are discretionary under the club rules.

For more information please see the attached update issued by ECM Maritime Services. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your usual club contact.​

Category: Pollution