AMO Currents - Coast Guard proposes new ballast water regulations

AMO Currents - Posted: September 3, 2009

Coast Guard proposes new ballast water regulations

The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed the establishment of new standards for the allowable concentration of living organisms in ships’ ballast water discharged in U.S. waters. The agency is also proposing the establishment of an approval process for ballast water management systems. These proposals are intended to help prevent non-indigenous species from entering U.S. waters through ships’ ballast and are designed to be at least as effective as ballast water exchange.

“This is a very good thing for American mariners and shipping companies because it prevents states from creating a patchwork of regulations,” said AMO National Vice President at Large Michael Murphy.

The proposed rulemaking would first adopt recently established recommendations from the International Maritime Organization. In 2016, stricter standards would be adopted, drawing from regulations established by several U.S. states. The Coast Guard will accept comments on these proposals until Nov. 27, 2009. The proposed rulemaking is available online.