Environmental Regulations: A Changing Landscape

Environmental compliance of ocean-going vessels has become compulsory in recent times. The shipping industry is going through a wide variety of compliance requirements. Some of the recent requirements are the water contamination regulations.

As the shipping industry moves towards sustainability, new environmental regulations are emerging with a focus on reducing emissions, including water emissions. These regulations target water emissions through the Ballast Water Convention, Vessel General Permit (VGP) 2013, and MEPC.340(77). Water emission regulations are not uniform. Some are global and come from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), while others are specific to individual countries or regions, resulting in variations from the global standards.

Our Water Testing suite of services ensures compliance with the VGP and IMO D1 and D2 standards. The VGP is a permit issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that regulates discharges from vessels in US waters. The IMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping globally. The D1 and D2 standards refer to the ballast water management practices that ships must comply with. The purpose of these regulations is to minimise the impact of ship operations on the marine environment.

Our Water Compliance Testing Services

As a market-leading, independent, ISO 17205 UKAS accredited testing, inspection and consultancy service provider, our team of Class Approved surveyors and analysts can conduct the following water testing services;
 

• Ballast Water Testing - Ballast water is taken on by ships to maintain stability and trim, but when discharged, it can introduce non-native species, pathogens, and other pollutants into the marine environment. Samples were taken from the ship's ballast tanks to analyse for the presence of non-native species and pathogens.
• Bilge Water Testing - Bilge water is wastewater that accumulates in the lower parts of ships and may contain oil, grease, and other pollutants. Samples of bilge water were analysed for oil and grease content.
• BlackWater Testing - Blackwater, commonly known as sewage discharge, includes water from kitchens and dishwashers due to contamination by pathogens and grease. It can carry diseases and bacteria that are harmful to both people and the environment.
• Gray Water Testing - Gray water is distinct from black water and includes wastewater from sources such as sinks, dishwashers, showers, hand basins, baths, and washing machines. It contains harmful chemicals, fats, oils, bleaches, and germs that can negatively impact human health. If left untreated, greywater can contribute to water quality issues and public health concerns due to high bacterial loads, nutrient discharge, biological oxygen demand, and salinity impacts. If not properly treated, greywater can become septic.
• Potable Water Testing - Potable water is safe and suitable for human consumption, free from harmful contaminants, and has been treated or purified to meet drinking water standards. The ILO Maritime Labour Convention requires that seagoing vessels have comprehensive documented testing of their drinking water supplies, which must be inspected at least weekly and recorded in an onboard logbook.
• Exhaust Gas Water Cleaning Systems Testing - Samples of exhaust gases are taken from ships equipped with an Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (scrubber) to analyse for pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and particulate matter. Regulation 2.2.26 of VGP 2013 requires that scrubber wash water discharge must not contain any oil or oily mixtures in quantities that may be harmful.

Through our team of international surveys, we deliver an unrivalled level of resources and provide our clients with the reassurance they need to meet their demands, static or fluctuating. Due to our capacity management and capabilities, we are able to react quickly to urgent works and restricted timescales without compromising on quality controls. During our water compliance surveys, our surveyors and consultants;

• Attend on the vessel, obtaining all the proper permits according to the terminal requirements
• Prepare, and Sampling according to the EPA methodology
• On-Board Test using our equipment/devices
• Operate sample preservation measures in the necessary conditions as required by the regulations
• Perform Microbiological and Chemical Laboratory Analysis with Methods required by EPA.
• File chain of custody as required
• Complete laboratory reports and support to ensure compliance with Vessel General Permit (VGP) & International Maritime Organisation (IMO) (D1 & D2 standard) regulations

Expand Your Green Supply Chain

As part of the Lucion Group, we are a purpose-driven company, dedicated to protecting people from hazardous environments and protecting the environment from the impacts of people. We provide a wide range of hazardous material and environmental services including environmental risk management, inspection, assessment and advisory services through our collective group of companies throughout the world.

With a national presence and global reach through the Inogen Alliance, we have over 600 employees working across 12 sectors, including marine and offshore. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our QHSE business management systems, which are accredited to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. Our mission is to prevent occupational and environmental risks and protect individuals whenever possible.

With a global footprint through our membership in the Inogen Alliance, our BOSIET-qualified and UK Oil & Gas Medical certified Hazardous Material Surveyors have vast experience working in multiple offshore environments across the globe, including in Canada, Brazil, Nigeria, and the North Sea. Our team understands that cooperation between clients, contractors, and other stakeholders is crucial to avoid conflict, meet deadlines, and deliver the project safely.

Servicing the global marine and offshore industry since 2002, Lucion is trusted by hundreds of clients including; Helix Well Ops, SBM Offshore, Vroon Offshore Services, and BW Offshore. From surveying, identification and management to asset recycling, dismantling and disposal consultancy Lucion assists clients in all aspects of compliance with SOLAS, the Hong Kong Convention and the EU Ship Recycling Regulations. 

Lucion holds approval status with major IACS Classification Societies, including Lloyds Register, Bureau Veritas, and American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) as well as having directly employed DNV GL certified Marine HazMat Experts. We operate with skilled technical and scientific teams, across multiple sectors, providing fast and responsive support to our clients. Our people risk manage each project and deliver a solution that is not only effective but cost-effective.

Our knowledge of the issues surrounding the risk management and legal compliance of hazardous materials gives our clients complete reassurance throughout their project, with real-time visibility of all hazardous materials and all risks. Through our team, when our clients partner with us, they have our expertise and environmental management capabilities available locally throughout the length of every project.

Get In Touch

With a commitment to quality reflected in our ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 accreditations, we are the first choice for a safer and more sustainable future.

Contact our team today. Click 'Make an Enquiry' now or give our team a call at 0345 5040 303.