INTERTANKO ports with challenging water quality (PCWQ) database
26 January 2024
INTERTANKO’s ports with challenging water quality (PCWQ) database captures INTERTANKO members’ experience in ports where challenging water quality affected ballast water management system (BWMS) operation. This database serves as a repository for reports received of challenges faced by ships operating in PCWQ. Information from the database can be used by ships as part of their voyage planning where they can consider mitigating measures to be adopted, in alignment with the appropriate IMO guidance document, if the ships are calling at ports with known PCWQ.
INTERTANKO’s Members have been submitting such reports based on pre-established criteria which are being continually reviewed by INTERTANKO’s Environmental Committee. The most recent of these changes includes a full review of the reporting format and associated questions. The areas of information captured within this report include the following:
Location and Administration
This section documents the location (Country and Port of Ballast uptake) and the date of occurrence. Each report exclusively refers to the port where CWQ was encountered during ballast uptake operations. For deballasting operations, the location where the ballast water originated is specified.
Operational Procedures
This section considers the circumstances and operational measures that were implemented when the CWQ was identified. This provides context adding to the date and location information in the previous section.
The information in the database follows a logical process of determining the operation where CWQ was identified (ballasting or de-ballasting) and the reason why CWQ was detected (through a system failure, a reduced treatment rate or a sequence of both). Information specifically on reduced treatment rate is also collected to identify the significance of change to the overall port call. It is emphasised that any extension or impact on the port call must be attributed solely to CWQ implications.
System operational information
The BWMS have been categorised by type, including Filtration + Chemical Injection and Filtration + Electrolysis, etc. This categorisation allows the identification of where systems are unable to perform as designed and the added context of the location and date from previous sections.
This section documents whether the BWMS was bypassed, with two specified reasons: Physical Limits or System Design Limitations. The operation of a bypass and subsequent steps such as treatment of the bypassed water; were discussed as an industry practice at MEPC 79/4/WP.1, further discussed in MEPC 80/4/8 and fully proposed in MEPC 81/4/4. It is emphasised that the procedure must be granted through the BWM Convention (BWMC) exemption process as per regulation A-4, requiring approval from the receiving port State Administration. This process enables a vessel to return to the D-2 standard.
Water quality and condition
MEPC 79/WP.6 highlighted that many metrics within the water can be identified as triggers for CWQ. The BWMS itself can often pick up these metrics. There are also sensors which are already active and there is also scope for visual identification to be incorporated into the consideration.
The following Water Quality and composition metrics have been collected through this database: (i) Salinity Value (PPT); (ii) Salinity visual descriptive (Freshwater-Brackish water-seawater); (iii) Ultraviolet transmittance (UV-T%); (iv) Visual Water Condition (Muddy-Clear); and (v) Water Temperature (°C).
The voluntary nature for this section of the database allows only the applicable and available metrics to be recorded, therefore some gaps within the data are to be expected. This information can add both clarity and context to the CWQ report.
Associated Comments
This section enables additional information to be provided through comments, including correspondence between vessel and port Authorities, further context and information for why the system failed or encountered suboptimal conditions (identified triggers or issues with the system) and any further detail as to other questions.
As proposed during MEPC 80, INTERTANKO has opened access to the database to member States, Parties to the BWM Convention, other Observer Organisations and industry stakeholders. The data collected has been the basis of multiple submissions to the IMO through MEPC 78.INF.17, MEPC 80/4/18 and MEPC 81/4/(tbc).
INTERTANKO is currently collaborating with like-minded Member States to further develop the guidance for ships operating in PCWQ. The aim is to promote consistency among Flag Administrations and Port State Controls, thereby reducing discrepancies in the enforcement of the BWM Convention worldwide.
This PCWQ database was designed to allow effective communication with receiving port state Administrations, especially for cases requiring an information exchange under regulations A-3, A-4 and C-2 of the BWM Convention.
This database provides a reference tool which includes both well-known and less commonly known PCWQ locations. In unexpected CWQ situations, the database provides a valuable log concerning specific vessel parameters during voyage planning or unplanned course changes.
This PCWQ database allows swift analysis of past issues encountered by INTERTANKO members, identifying trends in regional challenges and BWMS treatment types. This can supplement any discussions in addressing real-time concerns from ships and port State Administrations, emphasising continuous research and design improvements for a robust and universally adaptable BWMS.
The data will assist in a global approach and can act as a historical record of the experience of vessels and their interactions with the respective port States. This factual log can also be used when Members need further justifications for a bypass when encountering issues faced in PCWQ.
The PCWQ database, used together with the guidance can aid Parties to the BWMC to coordinate efforts of both their port and coastal State administrations in minimising differing interpretations and instructions to ships affected by the CWQ. This can enhance the level of compliance with the BWMC while providing ships with clarity on what is expected from them.
Accessing the database
You can submit entries to the database here.
To access the database/see results:
(To access this survey, the following information is required: Name, Company email and Organisation. This information is collected solely to ensure that access can be restricted to interested stakeholders. For further information on INTERTANKO’s privacy policy please visit our website here.)
If after reading this document you have any questions and/ or you wish to be removed from INTERTANKO’s databases, please contact us at: dataprivacy@intertanko.com
