ClassNK to shipowners: Don’t wait to install BWMS

Distribution of BWMS installation deadlines for ClassNK existing ships

Back in September 2018, classification society ClassNK analyzed the retrofitting status of ballast water management systems (BWMS) on its registered ships and found that, for many of them, the installation deadlines set by the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM Convention) were highly concentrated in the year 2022.

ClassNK has now been updated the BWM Convention status of its registered based on the latest data and confirms that the installation deadlines for many of them are still concentrated in the year 2022.

As of the end of August 2019, 7,124 of the 9,097 ships registered with ClassNK are obligated to install BWMS in accordance with the BWM Convention. Of these, 2,606 ships have completed the installation, leaving 4,518 ships that still require attention. Although the number of ships without BWMS has decreased by 882 within one year, the installation deadline for these ships remains largely concentrated in 2022.

As difficulties are expected in the installation of BWMS if shipowners around the world waits until 2022, ClassNK recommends installing well in advance.