ANN ARBOR, Mich. — NSF International announced it can now provide ballast water management systems (BWMS) testing to Germany’s Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographic [BSH]) requirements, which are based on International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines, according to a press release.
NSF International was the first independent laboratory (IL) designated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to test and evaluate BWMS for U.S. type approval, stated the release.
Manufacturers of BWMS, reported the release, can now submit for required type approvals to the NSF International IL, and in parallel to BSH, using the same set of test data, reducing approval time and test costs and allowing ships to navigate to international and U.S. shipping designations.
To prevent the spread of nonnative aquatic species in rivers, lakes and coastal waters, USCG type approval of onboard BWMS is required for vessels entering and discharging treated water in U.S. waters, continued the release.
National type approvals for Germany offered through BSH, noted the release, also meet the IMO requirements for ships throughout the rest of the world.
“The NSF International IL and partners have the technical and scientific capabilities necessary to provide high quality evaluations of ballast water management systems to both U.S. and international requirements, which will provide additional benefits to manufacturers and eventually ship owners who need approved systems in both U.S. and international waters,” said BSH President Monika Breuch-Moritz.
Read the entire release here.
