Seatrade Maritime is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Ballast Equipment Manufacturers Association seeks NGO status with IMO

Photo: Lee Hong Liang IMG_1050.JPG
The Ballast Equipment Manufacturers Association (BEMA) has applied for a NGO Consultative Status with the IMO to offer their official, non-commercial and technical voice to the existing regulators, owners and environmental groups currently represented at IMO.

Dr Efi Tsolaki, president of US-based BEMA, said “with the opportunity to gain NGO status at the IMO, BEMA will be able to provide their expertise on the technologies, capabilities, limitations and future R&D opportunities to the IMO discussions that are currently not available through other channels.”

In addition, Tsolaki noted that both the IMO and BEMA are organisations whose mission, vision and strategic goals align with respect to supporting smooth implementation and oversight of the critical environmental challenge that invasive aquatic species presents.

Tsolaki believes that the operational information and real-world experiences offered by BEMA will help improve implementation of the BWM Convention through facilitating exchange of information for all stakeholders.

The BEMA application has been made to the IMO Council member states for their review at the 124th session of the IMO Council scheduled to conclude on 22 October 2020.