The Cost of Non Compliance
Stringent ballast water regulations and enforcement by the U.S. Coast Guard leaves no room for BWMS complacency. Shipowners looking to enter U.S. waters basically have to “shape up or ship out”.
“Prior to embarking on a voyage to the United States, shipowners must ensure that they are able to properly manage their ballast water when operating in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction,“ says Jeanne Grasso, a specialist maritime attorney and partner in Blank Rome, an Am Law 100 firm with 13 offices and more than 600 attorneys and principals.
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Grasso's Advice
It is vital to have a contingency plan in place and understand how to manage a non-compliance before you come into a U.S. port. There are many things an owner can do to minimize risk and manage a non-compliance, but, hiding that non-compliance is not one of those things.
“Lack of preparation, especially in these circumstances, will inevitably be costly,” warns Grasso.
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"The Cost of Non Compliance," was published in Optimarin on July 30, 2018.