Coast Guard ruling extends uncertainty over treatment of ballast water

摘要

The latest U.S. Coast Guard decision on ballast water management systems (BWMS) leaves vessel owners in uncertain waters. In May, the Coast Guard issued the results of a review to determine if technology existed to achieve a significant improvement in ballast water treatment efficacy. The Coast Guard determined that "there are no data demonstrating that ballast water management systems can meet a discharge standard more stringent than the existing performance standards."