Biofouling and ballast water
LITEHAUZ has worked with OEMs, shipowners and policy-makers during the development of the Ballast Water Management Convention for more than a decade. We are experts in compliance issues and exemptions, and we developed the Same Risk Area exemption concept useful for local shipping. LITEHAUZ is your one-stop-service point to meet your needs in critical decisions points within all aspects of ballast water management regulation.
The issue of invasive aquatic species in ballast water is now dealt with under the BWMC, but the battle is not over yet. IMO initiated in 2018 a review of the voluntary 2011 Biofouling Management Guidelines and over the coming years we will undoubtedly see more administrations asking ships for an updated Biofouling Management Plan and a Record Book.
LITEHAUZ has taken part in the development and dissemination of biofouling management knowledge together with collaborators in the first mover countries of Australia and New Zealand. We are also independent experts in the performance software and the in-water hull cleaning methods.
Whether you are from the public or private sector, let LITEHAUZ be your partner to find the optimal solutions in terms of environmental impact, costs and administrative ease.
Selected references:
Public sector and organisations
Danish Ministry of Environment
Assessment of the risk of invasive species from ballast water discharge in the North Sea and Baltic Sea and associated costs of exemptions.
The 1st International workshop on BWMC exemptions – The Same Risk Area was organised by LITEHAUZ and hosted in the offices of Danish Shipping. 30 participants from eight countries descended to Copenhagen on 7th and 8th of May, 2018. A well balanced mix of first movers in administrations, shipowner, research and consultancy communities met to share experiences in designing studies for the Same Risk Area exemption approach.
Industry associations and NGOs
Danish Partnership on Ballast Water (Danish Shipowners, Danish Nature Agency and Danish Maritime Authority)
Note on Same Risk Area. Analysis of transitional phase measures for the OSPAR/HELCOM area regarding exemptions and exceptions from the requirements of the ballast water management convention.
The Ballast Water Convention entered into force on September 8th 2017 and as a result all ships must comply with the D-2 standard when its fully implemented in 2024. Initiated by Danish Shipping Litehauz developed a guide funded by the Danish Maritime Fund to make the transition easier for all the involved parties by emphasise the key points in the convention. The guide “The Little Blue Book on Ballast Water” can be found on the Danish Shipping webpage by following this link.
Technical compliance work
Bawat
Expert assistance and quality control of the Type Approval process of the innovative ballast water treatment management by BAWAT, which utilizes deoxygenation and pasteurization technologies.