Applicability: All owners and operators of Singapore-flagged vessels
Further to Shipping Circular No. 08 of 2017, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has issued Shipping Circular No. 10 of 2017, which advises that Singapore has acceded to the BWM Convention and that all applicable ships of 400 Gt and above that are flagged with Singapore will need to be issued an International Ballast Water Management Certificate (IBWMC), in accordance with the Convention.
Circular No. 10 advises:
- That for ships of 400 Gt and above, registered with the Singapore flag and subject to the Convention, an IBWMC will need to be issued by the vessel’s Recognised Organisation (RO) prior to 8 September 2017.
- That the validity of any IBWMC issued prior to 8 September 2017 should, in accordance with BWM.2/Circ.40, commence from 8 September 2017.
- That where a Statement of Compliance (SoC) for the Convention has previously been issued by an RO, no additional survey is required, providing that the SoC was issued in compliance with international BWM Convention survey requirements and there have been no modifications or changes.
- That prior to an IBWMC being issued for ships of 400 Gt and above, ships are required to carry an approved Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP) on board. These ships should also carry a Ballast Water Record Book (BWRB), which does not need to be approved.
- That ships of less than 400 Gt are also required to ensure that the relevant provisions of the Convention are complied with (e.g. that an approved BWMP and BWRB are carried on board).
As an RO to the Singapore flag, Lloyd’s Register (LR) is authorised to approve BWMPs on behalf of the flag.
Shipowners and operators of applicable vessels should contact LR to arrange the issuance of an IBWMC as soon as possible.
For further information
Speak to one of our experts at your local Lloyd’s Register Group office or contact: StatutorySupport@lr.org