The IMO’s International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) enters into force today, bringing to final end years of uncertainty.

It was some 45 years ago that marine biologists working in the South of England commented on new species of seaweed which were appearing around the Solent. They were traced back to Japan and “bio-detectives” suggested that they had arrived...

Tanker owner Euronav says the delay in implementation of the IMO’s Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention for all large tankers by two years will have little impact on the market.

A survey of owners and operators that have fitted ballast water management systems (BWMS) by classification society ABS found that some 43% were considered “inoperable” or “problematic”.

Marine logistics services provider Inchape Shipping Services (ISS) has advised that all ships from international waters will be required to provide a ballast water sample and report when calling at Saudi Aramco ports and terminals starting 16 August.

Shipowner have gotten a two-year reprieve on the retrofitting of ballast water treatment systems as the IMO has decided to delay the implementation of the convention until 2019.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is backing a proposal to the IMO to delay the implementation of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention for existing ships.

Finland’s marine equipment manufacturer Wartsila is poised to ramp up the capacity of its annual production of ballast water management systems (BWMS) at its China facility in Suzhou, in anticipation of increased demand ahead of the IMO regulation.

Ballast water treatment (BWT) system manufacturer Optimarin is to offer global servicing and spare parts through an agreement with Goltens Green Technology.

The product tanker market is going through challenging conditions but a combination of factors could see a bounce back towards the end of the year leading ceos in the scetor believe.