Indicative Sampling Test on Approved Ballast Water Treatment System

As a responsible flag administration and port state, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) enforces the relevant regulations on ships operating in the Singapore port. Since the entry into force of The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) on 8 September 2017, MPA stepped up inspections on ships equipped with ballast water treatment systems to ensure compliance with environmental regulations set by the BWM Convention. MPA officers have been conducting indicative sampling tests on board using test kits complying with the D2 performance standards of the BWM Convention with regard to indicative analysis. Results are able to be obtained within a time frame suited to the on-going onboard operations. This gives both the officers and ship's crew sufficient information to accurately evaluate the efficiency of the ballast water treatment systems. At the end of the indicative sampling tests, comments from the crew were positive and the general comment was that the tests provided re-assurance that the ballast water treatment system equipped on-board is fully functional and in compliance with the BWM convention.