BWMS COMMISSIONING TEST - asiancs.org

Dedicated to safe ships and clean seasDedicated to safe ships and clean seasDedicated to safe ships and clean seas

ACS Seminar

Nguyen Viet Phuong; Vu Ba Huy

Vietnam Register

BWMS COMMISSIONING TEST

Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas

CONTENTS

● Introduction

● IMO regulations and guidances

● Sample taking and analysis

● Self-monitoring parameters

● Benefits and challenges

● The Role of the Classification Society

● Conclusion


The status of The International Convention for the Control and

Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM

Convention):

● Entered into force globally on September 08, 2017

● As at June 2021, the Convention has been ratified by 86 countries

representing more than 91% of the world merchant shipping tonnage

The status of Asian countries:

● Party to the Convention: China, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of

Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Philippines

● Non-party to the Convention: India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar,

Sri Lanka, Thailand

INTRODUCTION


Figure 1: Implementation of the BWM Convention (IMO,2018)

INTRODUCTION

source:

https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Documents/BWM%20infographic_FINAL.pdf

https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Documents/BWM%20infographic_FINAL.pdf


Is necessary for the commissioning test of BWMS since the system

has been approved by the Classification Society or Administration?

Regarding 2020 White paper of SGS (the world’s leading testing,

inspection, and certification company), from 10/2019 to 04/2020, SGS

conducted commissioning tests for 95 BWMS in 9 countries, for vessels

of 5 flag States, under 8 classification societies, and from 14 vendors

● Approximately 21% failed to meet the D-2 performance standard

● All failures to meet the D-2 performance standard occurred in the

largest size class (≥50 µm) of organisms. Rarely, failures also

occurred in the ≥10 µm to <50 µm size class (2%) and the indicator

microbes (<10 µm; 6%)

INTRODUCTION


INTRODUCTION

Figure 2: The causes for failures of Commissioning Test (SGS,2020)


The main purpose of the commissioning testing is not to validate the

design of Type Approved BWMS but to validate that the installation

of a BWMS by demonstrating that its mechanical, physical, chemical

and biological processes are working properly

INTRODUCTION


Countries have requested Commissioning test for their flag vessels:

Australia, France, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Tuvalu, Singapore and India

Countries recommend the ship-owner to do the test:

Liberia, Panama, Bahamas...

INTRODUCTION


CONTENTS

● Introduction






● Conclusion


MEPC 75 adopted Resolution MEPC.325(75) - Amendments to

regulation E-1 and Appendix I - (Commissioning testing of ballast water

management systems and form of the International Ballast Water

Management Certificate) in accordance with article 19(2)(c) of the BWM

Convention

IMO REGULATIONS

→ This amendment shall be deemed to have been accepted on

December 1, 2021 unless, prior to that date, more than one third of the

Parties have notified the Secretary-General that they object to the

amendments

→ This amendment shall enter into force on June 1, 2022


BWM.2/Circ.70 - Guidance for the commissioning testing of ballast

water management systems

● Approved at MEPC 73 (October 2018)

● The uptake water (ambient water) and discharge water (after the

full treatment) should be taken in accordance with the Guidelines on

ballast water sampling (G2)

● All size classes of organisms as specified in the D-2 standard

should be analyzed using indicative analysis methods

● The applicable self-monitoring of the BWMS should also be

assessed, taking into account the System Design Limitations of

the BWMS

● Some countries such as France, Australia are still using this

Guidance

IMO GUIDANCES


BWM.2/Circ.70 - Rev.1- 2020 Guidance for the commissioning testing of

ballast water management systems

● Approved at MEPC 75 (November 2020)

● The discharge water (after the full treatment) should be taken in

accordance with the Guidelines on ballast water sampling (G2). The

total sample volume should be at least 1 m3

● Two size classes of organisms, namely ≥ 50 µm and ≥ 10 µm to <

50 µm as specified in the D-2 standard should be analyzed by

indicative analysis methods

● The applicable self-monitoring of the BWMS should also be

assessed, taking into account the System Design Limitations of the

BWMS

● This circular revokes BWM.2/Circ.70 when Resolution

MEPC.325(75) enters into force

IMO GUIDANCES


THE TESTING FACILITY

According to circular BWM.2/Circ.70 - Rev.1

● Collect and analysis of the representative samples

● Independent to BWMS manufacturer and supplier

● Satisfaction of the Administration

IMO GUIDANCES


CONTENTS

● Introduction






● Conclusion


SAMPLE TAKING

● Sample taking

● Then use analysis methods

● Check parameters and related equipment

VALIDATING COMPLIANCE


SAMPLE TAKINGBWM.2/Circ.42/Rev.2

● Uptake line: A sample of the ambient water

● Discharge line: A sample of the ballast water

● The sampling protocol used should result in a representative sample

of the whole discharge of the ballast water from any single tank or

any combination of tanks being discharged

The total sample volume

= At least 1m3

(SGS,2021)



Analysis type

Filter skid

+

isokinetic

sampling

Plankton net

+

isokinetic

sampling

Continuous

drip

sampler

+

isokinetic

sampling

Grab sample

Indicative analysis

≥ 50 µm X X

≥ 10 µm and < 50 µm X X

Detailed analysis

≥ 50 µm X X

≥ 10 µm and < 50 µm X

Table 1: Sampling and analysis methods/approaches



Filter Skid (SGS, 2021) Plankton net (Alfa Lavan, 2021)

Continuous drip

sampler (EMSA, 2019)

Figure 3: Sampling devices


Table 2: Methods

Methods Installation Error

1 Filter skid + Isokinetic sampling Discharge

line

Lower

2 Cylinder containing plankton net

+ Isokinetic sampling

Discharge

line

Lower

3 Sampling tub containing

plankton net + isokinetic

sampling

Discharge

line

Lower

4 Continuous drip sampler +

Isokinetic sampling

Discharge

line

Lower

5 Grab sample BW tank Higher



SAMPLE TAKINGG2 - MEPC.173(58)

GUIDELINES FOR BALLAST WATER SAMPLING (G2)

1. The length of the straight sample pipe facing into the flow can vary, but

not usually to be less than one diameter of the sampling pipe

2. The sampling port to be oriented such that the opening is facing

upstream and its lead length is parallel to the direction of flow and

concentric to the discharge pipe

3. Samples to be taken from the discharge line is as near to the point of

discharge as practicable, during ballast water discharge whenever

possible

4. The sampling point is to be installed in a straight part of the discharge

line as near to the ballast water discharge overboard as practicable


SAMPLE TAKINGG2 - MEPC.173(58)

Figure 4: Sampling Pipe(Thao Linh, 2021)


SAMPLE TAKINGISO 1171-1:2019

Figure 5: A sample collection probe(SGS,2021)



1. Perpendicular sample 2. 45° sample

Figure 6: Arrangement of

sample port valve


Table 3: Sample port dimensions

With a discharge pipe size of DN 100 or greater

Sample port A B C d

Perpendicular 100 190 400 97

45o 80 240 500 74

*Dimensions in millimeters



ANALYSIS METHODS

● Analyse for all size classes using indicative analysis methods are listed

in Table 5 (BWM.2/Circ.42/Rev.2)

● Detailed analysis methods are listed in Table 6 (BWM.2/Circ.42/Rev.2)

Parameter Limit Value

● Organisms ≥50 µm (typically zooplankton) ● <10 viable

organisms/m3

● Organisms ≥10 µm and <50 µm (typically

phytoplankton)

● <10 viable

organisms/ml

Table 4: IMO target organism groups and performance standards


Microscopy examinationVisual count/ inspection

Flow Cytometry Accredited Laboratory

ANALYSIS METHODS


Table 5: Indicative analysis methods

Indicator Approach

1 Viable organisms ≥ 50 µm

Visual counts or

Stereo-microscopy

Visual inspection

2 Viable organisms ≥ 10 µm and < 50 µm Variable fluorometry

3

- Viable organisms ≥ 50 µm

- Viable organisms ≥ 10 µm and < 50

µm

Flow cytometry

Pulse counting fluorescein

diacetate (FDA)

Photometry, nucleic acid,

ATP

• No international standard for ballast water analysis at this moment

ANALYSIS METHODS


Table 6: Detailed analysis methods

Indicator Approach

1Viable organisms ≥ 50 µm

Visual counts or stereomicroscopy examination.

Flow camera (based on vital stains and chlorophyll a)

Time-consuming, needs trained personnel

Expensive

2Viable organisms ≥ 10 µm

and < 50 µm

Visual counts or stereomicroscopy examination.

Visual counts with use of vital stains.

Flow cytometers

Time-consuming, needs trained personnel

Expensive

• No international standard for ballast water analysis at this moment

ANALYSIS METHODS


CONTENTS

● Introduction






● Conclusion


SELF-MONITORING PARAMETERS

SELF-

MONITORING

PARAMETER

Correct biological

performance

(TRO concentration;

UV transmittance …)

System operation

(flow rate, pressure... )

Uptake cycle

Discharge

cycle

Record Monitor

Design

Limitations

of BWMS

Human machine Interface

(HMI)

Screen provide real time-

update

Figure 7: Self- monitoring parameters during the test


• Self-monitoring parameters are provided by:

✔Operation, Maintenance and Safety Manual

✔Type Approval Certificate

✔Documentation from Manufacturer

• Setpoints for the self-monitoring parameters should be recorded and

compared against when the system is in operation

• Photos of the BWMS HMI screen should be taken periodically

throughout the commissioning test as evidence of the report

SELF-MONITORING PARAMETERS


CONTENTS

● Introduction






● Conclusion


BENEFITS

● To ensure that the BWMS has satisfied with the BWM Code and to

achieve the purpose of the BWM Convention

● From the vessel owner’s perspective, after the Commissioning test,

the BWMS is also being completed retrofit

→ More convenience for the PSC inspections


CHALLENGES

● The Burden for the ship-owner

● Time challenge: The BWMS may requires holding time of ballast

water before discharge longer than the ship’s schedule

● Water challenge: The BWMS is not compatible with the ambient

water and commissioning test. The test needs to be done in a

different location


● Ship’s crews must be familiar with self-monitoring details and

provide assistance to the test

● Installation location is difficult to reach for sample taking

● Preparation (tank cleaning, power supply, etc) and smooth

coordination of the parties involved in the test

● Various systems with their different functions and operations

which require testing facility with the expertise of testing

CHALLENGES

(SGS,2021)


Figure 8: BWMS Manufacturers (SGS,2021)

CHALLENGES


CONTENTS

● Introduction






● Conclusion


CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY’S ROLE

Classification Society surveyor

● Conduct a survey of the installation, checking that the mechanical

and electrical components are in accordance with the approved

drawings

● Witness an operation test (include both ballasting and deballasting

operations), function and alarm test of safety device, control and

monitoring device of BWMS as part of the installation survey

● Review the commissioning test reports of the testing facility

● Issue the International Ballast Water Management Certificate after

the satisfactory completion of the test


CONTENTS

● Introduction






● Conclusion


CONCLUSION

● Despite many difficulties, the commissioning test is mandatory to

achieve the purpose of the BWM Convention

● The test shall enter into force on June 1, 2022

● The test requires smooth coordination between the stakeholders

● The collection and analysis of the representative samples should be

independent of the BWMS manufacturer or supplier and to the

satisfaction of the Administration.


THANK YOU

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