What We Know about Changes to Ballast Water Regulations in US Waters
Online
Jeanne M. Grasso, who serves as co-chair of the firm’s Maritime & International Trade practice group, will serve as a panelist on the “What We Know about Changes to Ballast Water Regulations in US Waters” webinar, which will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. GMT / 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. EST, as part of Ballast Water Webinar Week.
Jeanne will be joined by fellow panelists to provide vital clarity on U.S. ballast water regulations, including the implications of the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) edits to the Vessel General Permit (“VGP”) for ballast water discharge; how the United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) regards the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act ("VIDA") and other testing regimes; and the prospect that these and other uncertainties will see ballast water treatment providers retreat from the U.S. market.
Key Discussion Highlights:
- Changes the EPA made to the wording of the VGP and how will this impact up to 66,000 vessels transiting U.S. waters
- How delays on alternative testing affects ballast water treatment providers using lower-power UV systems
- Whether momentum to achieve USCG type-approval has been lost
- Scenario planning: How many vessels will have non-compliant systems, expired certification, and/or the inability to source spare parts from defunct providers?
- AMS deadline – should owners retrofit new BWTSs or consider scrapping
- Great Lakes – great and ongoing ballast water treatment concerns
Ballast Water Webinar Week will be held February 15–19, 2021, and will host a series of daily webinars that discuss ballast water-related challenges, headaches, or opportunities. To learn more or to register to attend, please visit the Ballast Water Webinar Week event page.