USCG clarifies issues re type-approval certificate

Having recently received questions through social media, regarding the Ballast Water Management System type approval certificate issued to Echoclor, on 11 August, the US Coast Guard shared the answers, in case other readers have the same questions.

1.Why is Echoclor permitted a 0.2mg/L MADC when clearly the rule is 0.1mg/L?

Table 3 of the 2013 VGP identifies the maximum ballast water effluent limits for residual biocides in discharged ballast water. There is a difference between chlorine dioxide, where the maximum allowable discharge concentration (MADC) is 200 micrograms/L (0.2 mg/L) and chlorine which has an MADC of 100 micrograms/L (0.1 mg/L).

2. Does the decreased dose from 5 to 4.25 affect the IMO TAC?

The USCG Type approval certificate (TAC) is separate from the IMO TAC. The Coast Guard cannot comment on what effect the US type approval might have on certificates issued under the Ballast Water Management Convention.

Recently, USCG has also released Frequently Asked Questions and other guidance regarding ballast water management systems.