The series is aimed to help those new to ballast water management and more experienced maritime professionals.
It provides basic details and seeks to clarify confusion about the US ballast water regulations published in 2012. The series compares US regulations and the International Maritime Organization ballast water convention. It also summarizes the USCG type-approval process, discusses type-approval challenges and provides an overview of ballast water treatment systems technologies, among other topics.
Thomas's staff recently participated in the 4th Annual Ballast Water Management Technology North America Conference, where they had discussions with manufacturers, vessel owners and operators, independent labs and other stakeholders about all aspects of the US regulations and implementation of the ballast water program.
Noting 'several repeated areas of concern and confusion' during that conference and in other recent engagements with the maritime industry, Thomas said he decided to publish the series on Maritime Commons, the USCG blog for maritime professionals.
