The US Coast Guard’s latest annual report unveils a notable decrease in ballast water deficiencies among vessels trading in United States waters.
The US Coast Guard’s Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has released its eagerly awaited US Port State Control Annual Report for 2023, shedding light on the maritime industry’s compliance landscape regarding regulations such as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Marpol).
Fewer deficiencies
In 2023, the US Coast Guard (USCG) issued 29% fewer deficiencies for non-compliance compared with the previous year. This trend underscores the concerted efforts by vessel operators and regulatory authorities to address this pressing environmental concern.
Petroleum oil tankers, general dry cargo vessels, and ore carriers also faced varying degrees of non-compliance, underscoring the widespread nature of the issue across different sectors.
Challenges faced
An analysis of the annual trends in ballast water deficiencies reveals a nuanced picture of the challenges faced. While deficiencies related to ballast water management systems (BWMS) accounted for the majority at 89 instances.
Furthermore, the EEP facilitated the identification of unreported inoperable ballast water systems, highlighting the programme’s efficacy in bolstering regulatory oversight.
Looking ahead, the Coast Guard stated it remains committed to tackling ballast water management challenges through continued vigilance and strategic enforcement measures.
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Source : Riviera
