- BEMA has announced it received news from IMO that it has been granted Non-Governmental Organisation Consultative Status.
- BEMA applied for NGO Consultative Status in March 2020.
- With this recognition by IMO, BEMA is now allowed to actively participate in IMO meetings.
The Ballastwater Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (BEMA) has announced it received news from IMO that it has been granted Non-Governmental Organisation Consultative Status, says an article published on Riviera website.
Huge step forward for BEMA
Achieving Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Consultative Status is a huge step forward for BEMA. This designation allows BEMA to attend IMO meetings and contribute to the work of IMO by submitting technical input and providing specialised operational and technical expertise on ballast water management systems (BWMS).
When did they apply?
BEMA applied for NGO Consultative Status in March 2020. Due to Covid-19, the decision-making process was delayed for new NGO applications until the 34th Extraordinary Council session that took place remotely from 8-12 November 2021.
Achieving NGO Consultative Status
At that meeting, Council decided to grant BEMA Consultative Status, and this approval was confirmed by the IMO Assembly during its recent meeting 6-15 December 2021.
BEMA is pleased IMO’s NGO application process has led to the recognition of BEMA by IMO.
BEMA president Dr Efi Tsolaki said, “Achieving NGO Consultative Status is giving us the opportunity to provide design and operational expertise, as well as balance to the numerous perspectives from regulators, shipowner organisations, scientific testing networks, and environmental organisations that influence the requirements or stipulations that directly impact the manufacturers as stakeholders in the ballast water treatment community.”
Dr Tsolaki added, “Several aspects of BEMA’s mission and purpose are well aligned with that of IMO’s strategic goals. The marine industry is currently in the process of implementing the Ballast Water Management Convention and the expertise BEMA brings to the conversation will help inform the challenges of implementation and will provide a technical voice to future conversations about preventing aquatic invasive species transfer through vessels.”
About BEMA
BEMA was formed in 2017 and held its first meeting in 2018. Its membership includes many industry stakeholders such as BWMS manufacturers, marine equipment companies, test facilities, scientists, ballast water compliance tool manufacturers, students and more.
BEMA secretary general Marcie Merksamer said, “BEMA is a global organisation, with members on nearly every continent and spanning the entire breadth of the ballast water industry. BEMA represents the entire scope of the industry and brings a unique voice that has been validated by IMO through granting NGO Consultative Status. BEMA is grateful for IMO’s acceptance and looks forward to the contributions that can be made to support IMO’s work and the maritime industry.”
What happens after recognition?
With this recognition by IMO, BEMA is now allowed to actively participate in IMO meetings. BEMA is considering submissions that can be made to IMO based on its technical capability and in co-operation with the needs of the maritime industry.
Although BEMA and its members already have close relationships with other industry associations, they look forward to working even more closely now they can fully participate in the regulatory process at IMO.
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Source: Rivera
