Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
may be the more appropriate method compared to the in-line approach to possibly
avoid the discharge of not properly treated ballast water into the environment.
Further, in-tank sampling may be the only possible sampling approach if the ballast
tanks to be discharged have only direct discharge to the sea. For these reasons in-
tank sampling remains important to be dealt with.
The previously conducted ballast water sampling studies tested also different in-
tank sampling methods using different sampling equipment. However the method
effi ciency would need to be studied further in more detail, should be scientifi cally
validated, and cross compared before conclusions on the method application can be
drawn.
At the last meeting of BLG 17 (February 2013), the BWS Guidance was fi nalised
in a form of an IMO Circular. It was recognized that many of the sampling and test
methods in the BWS Guidance were not yet adequately validated, and were not yet
fully integrated in PSC procedures in order to validate their practicality for deter-
mining compliance with the BWM Convention. Given that these methods are rap-
idly improving, IMO members and observers were encouraged to further develop
sampling and analysis protocols, including the range of options outlined in the BWS
Guidance.
Further it was accepted by IMO that once the BWM Convention enters into
force, a trial period of 2-3 years would be initiated where PSC can test the approaches
in the BWS Guidance to ensure they are practical and fi t for purpose. During the
trial period it is anticipated that port States share the results of on board ballast water
sampling and analysis. The trial results and fi ndings from sampling efforts should
also be communicated to IMO which will likely result in an update of the IMO
BWS Guidance documents and/or the G2 Guidelines. In continuation of the trial
period, further sampling events will be conducted to determine if changes are
needed to standardize the sampling options available. Lastly, in the end of the trial
period recommendations are to be provided to MEPC on standardized sampling and
analysis protocols and on possible advances in scientifi c knowledge which may be
considered to update the IMO BWS documents accordingly.
For sample processing two different approaches to analyse ballast water samples
to proof compliance with BWM requirements were implemented, i.e., an indicative
or a detailed analysis. It was recognized by the authors that organism detection
technologies are available today to conduct an indicative and detailed inspection of
ballast water samples. Some of the recommended methods do not deliver organism
counts, but give a semi-quantitative measurement or a presence/absence documen-
tation which is a suitable way to document indicatively compliance with BWM
requirements. Most organism detection tools for an indicative analysis are portable
and deliver a result promptly so that PSC offi cers can use them on board at the sam-
pling point.
For a detailed sample analysis, the recommended methods are more cumbersome
and require more time to a compliance control result. The sample processing meth-
ods for a detailed analysis are not portable and require a high experience level of a
trained biologist so that the samples either need to be brought to a laboratory for
subsequent analysis or a van may be equipped with these methods and driven to the
port for a sample analysis on the pier.
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