Page 3 - The flag March 2016

uIMOIMO UPDATEWhile 2017 will be another busy year at the International Maritime Organization it is worth re ecting on two events that happened in 2016 – two events that have signi cant impacts on shipping. The rst event was the rati cation of the Ballast Water Management Convention by Finland which meant that the second criterion for entry into force, 35% of world tonnage, was met some 12 years after the Convention was adopted in 2004. The fact that this took such a long time is an indication that all is not well with the Convention.The other signi cant decision was on the implementation date of the 0.5% global sulphur cap for fuel. Two availability studies were presented to the IMO Marine Environment Committee and they, of course, arrived at differing conclusions. What was very evident was that there can be little certainty that compliant fuel will be available “where and when” needed on a global basis on, or before, 1 January2020 (and selection of the alternative of 1 January 2025 would have provided no greater certainty).What is needed is a stable situation where the availability of compliant fuel of the right quality is assured. The challenge for IMO in 2017 is to start working on measures to facilitate smooth implementation and answer some important questions: What happens if a ship cannot load compliant fuel? What happens if the fuel loaded is claimed to be compliant but is found non-compliant on testing? What happens to fuel remaining on board on 1 January 2020? What about ships that are laid-up?One other signi cant challenge for IMO is the response to the Paris Agreement on greenhouse gas emissions. While much has been done in terms of improving fuel ef ciency there is increasing pressure to do more. A workplan has been agreed to address the issue and special meetings will be held to progress the discussions. The Bahamas will continue to advocate realistic and pragmatic approaches that balance costs and bene ts.In 2017 other important issues will be discussed amongst which are standards and requirements for lifting appliances, managing fatigue on board, additional GMDSS providers, cyber-security, electronic certi cates and record keeping, implementation of the 2010 Manila Amendments and ventilation of totally-enclosed lifeboats.u JOHNAKHURSTBMA DEPUTY DIRECTORBALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT CONVENTIONAfter 12 years’ wait the Ballast Water Convention will enter into force on 8 September 2017 and the industry would be forgiven for viewing this date with some nervousness. The original installation dates have passed; uncertainties still exist over the real-world performance of approved treatment systems, and national requirements bring further challenges. One ofthe most uncertain aspects of the implementation of the Convention is this: Just how will Port State Control be implemented? Article 9 of the Convention is clear but awed because sampling and analysis is presented as an early compliance veri cation tool. This may not have been a problem if there had been con dence that the approval of BWMS was robust and couldlead to assurance of compliant performance in the eld – but that was not the case. While the approval guidelines have been revised (Resolution MEPC.279(70)) we now await re-approval of existing BWMS and proof that PSC will be sympathetic to the predicament of “early-adopters” who took the brave decision to install BWMS before the Convention entered into force. There areother major uncertainties associated with sampling and analysis: Is the sample taken truly representative of the content of the tank; Is the sample that reaches the laboratory consistent and in exactly the same condition as it was when it left the ship? How can the ship be sure that the testing is rigorous, fair and transparent?Continued from page 1CRYSTAL SERENITYand expedition partners. We now look forward to beginning the planning process in delivering another memorable experience for guests on our 2017 sailing”.The award-winning vessel was captained by Master Birger J. Vorland, who enters an exclusive club of maritime explorers to successfully lead a vessel through the Northwest Passage, and joins Norwegian-born sailors Roald Amundsen and Henry A. Larsen on achieving the professional milestone. During the northernmost portion of the journey, Crystal Serenity was escorted by the RRS Ernest Shackleton.the ag 3u CRYSTAL SERENITY NWP ARRIVAL IN NYC STATUE OF LIBERTY (PHOTO CREDIT – DIANE BONDAREFF, CRYSTAL CRUISES)BUSTAMANTE CODEOn 22 February 2017, the Convention of Private International Law of 1928, also known as the Bustamante Code, entered into force for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, as stated by its articles 4 and 6.http://www.oas.org/en/sla/ dil/inter_american_treaties_ recent_actions.asp