Only 7.1% of the global fleet has been fitted with ballast water management systems (BWMS), according to data presented by Clarkson Research Services, managing director Stephen Gordon at the 12th Annual Maritime HR Conference.
More options to owners
The less penetration of BWMS could be due, to delays in the all-important approvals from the US Coast Guard. The number of systems being submitted for approvals is rising, and the wider range of options may spur owners to commit to one system or another for entire fleets, as with the recent announcement of the fitting of Ecochlor systems across the Angelicoussis Shipping Group.
No one ready to lead
The Clarkson Research data also showed that only 300 vessels, or 0.3% of the global fleet, are known to be fitted with SOx scrubbers. The issue here seems to be a question of timing. No owner wants to be the first to invest in expensive technology, and there are the practical considerations of coordinating the fitment of new environmental technology with a vessel’s Special Survey.
Lack of professionals
Record shows one supplier indicating that it is relatively easy to ramp up production of both scrubbers and BWMS; the only bottleneck lies in the fixed pool of surveyors, engineers and dry docks experienced in planning and executing fitments. The inference was the longer the owners take to the decide, the more difficult it will be to locate resources to execute the task to their required satisfaction.
Clarkson Research Services is the research division of the world’s largest shipbrokers. It boasts over 100 researchers, data compilers and analyst in offices in China, Singapore and London.
The 12th Annual Maritime HR Conference was organised by HR Consulting from Spinnaker Global.
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Source: Tanker Shipping
