USA

Ballast water treatment - Shipboard technology Evaluation program - USA

It is expected the US Coast Guard will very soon implement regulations for compulsory ballast water treatment.

The Shipboard technology program of the US Coast Guard consist of trials of various ballast water treatment systems which shipowners can participate. In consideration of an owner's acceptance to undergo these trials, the Coast Guard would approve these vessels to have temporary compliance.

The process for owners to apply for these trails is detailed in the Coast Guard's website http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mso/step.htm and applications are being accepted from 1 April 2004.