Norway goes it alone on ballast water standards GREEN CRAFT TECHNOLOGY


N


ORWAY is to implement strict controls on ballast water management during 2007,


applying the standards set down in the IMO Convention on ballast water to ships calling at Norwegian ports, even though it may be many years before the convention comes into force internationally, noted Wikborg Rein, Norway’s leading maritime law firm. ‘In December, the Norwegian parliament


authorised the government to accede to the International Convention for the Control and Management for Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments,’ explains Morten Lund Mathisen, a partner at Wikborg Rein. ‘The convention was adopted by the IMO in 2004 and introduces strict regulations on the control and management of ships’ ballast water. Norway will be among the first countries to join the convention, but it is not going to wait for the rest of the world to follow. ‘Finalisation of the draft regulations to give


effect to its provisions are anticipated during the spring of 2007, and will be subject to a three month consultation period. Depending


on Norway’s obligations under international law, the ministry intends to implement the convention rules in relation to ships calling at Norwegian ports before the convention enters into force internationally. ‘In particular, the restrictions on ballast water


uptake and discharge set out in the convention are expected to enter into force by the end of this year. The ministry is now considering which areas along the Norwegian coastline shall be designated as ballast exchange areas.’ The move has considerable commercial and


operational implications for vessels calling at Norwegian ports, which will now be required to adhere to a ballast water plan, keep a strict log of ballast water management, and will only be allowed to discharge clean ballast which has been exchanged at sea in accordance with the convention. The convention requires ships to conduct


ballast water exchange at least 200nm from the nearest land, in at least 200m depth of water and in accordance with guidelines issued by IMO. If it is not possible to conduct


water ballast exchange as described, it shall be carried out as far from land as possible, at least 50nm from the nearest land and in water at least 200m in depth. ‘The Norwegian government says that the


Norwegian coastline is among the world’s most productive in terms of natural habitats, natural resources and the basis for economic production in the marine industry. Norway has been active in the negotiations of the convention in the IMO in order to contribute to achieving a strict, effective, and global regime in this area as soon as possible,’ explains Mr Mathisen. ‘As only a few states have signed up,


Norway will move ahead and give the world a lead in applying the new measures, which are for the good of everyone. Violation of the convention may result in the ship being detained, excluded from port or offshore terminal, or prevented from discharging the ballast water. Owners who trade or may trade to Norway should get good advice on the requirements now.’


Renewable research consortium given funding T


HE European Union has chosen a research consortium coordinated by Wärtsilä to


receive a €1 million grant to develop the use of methanol-consuming fuel cells to provide electrical power to marine vessels. The consortium also consists of Lloyd's Register, Wallenius Marine, the University of Genoa, and Det Norske Veritas. The project is entitled ‘Validation of a


Renewable Methanol Based Auxiliary Power System for Commercial Vessels’ (METHAPU). The entire project costs €1.9 million. The main purpose of the project is to develop


and validate renewable-fuel-based technology onboard a cargo vessel involved in international trade. Wärtsilä's task in the project is to study the suitability of a methanol-based fuel cell system onboard the cargo vessel. A further important aim of the project is to


lay the technical groundwork to support the introduction of the regulations necessary to allowing the use of methanol as a marine fuel. The specific components of the technology to be validated are methanol fuel bunkering,


distribution, storage system, and a solid oxide fuel cell system that consumes methanol. The consortium is made up of world-


class players in the field of fuel cell system integration, sustainable shipping, classification work, and environmental assessment. The consortium's research will deal with the


SOFC unit of 250kW-class and the focus is on marine application issues, as well as the unit's safety and reliability aspects. For marine validation purposes, a smaller 20kW unit will be installed onboard a Wallenius Marine car carrier. The 20kW unit will be factory-tested,


laboratory-tested, and approved before installation. The installation, likewise, will be approved before the unit and its carrying vessel begin to sail on world trade routes. A lifecycle assessment and an operational safety assessment will be made. The results of the validation run and the


tests will contribute to the second and final part of the research - the marine - compatibility of the 250kW unit, its safety and reliability.


The project will take two and a half


years, one year of which is dedicated to the application's validation. The regulations and technical requirements for using methanol as a marine fuel will pave the way for the commercial use of methanol-consuming fuel cells onboard commercial vessels. This research project also serves as a


springboard for future research related to a sustainable society; specif ically, new greener marine power sources and a methanol-based economy. The construction and operation of this


research unit running on renewable methanol will open up attractive opportunities for using sustainable fuels for fuel-cell-based distributed generation and auxiliary power units in large ships, it is hoped. In particular, this is an interesting option for reducing ship emissions when harbouring. Operation of the unit will also provide


Wärtsilä with very important experience related to both the system's design and its performance parameters, such as electrical efficiency and stack durability.


THE MODERN YACHT


17-18 October 2007, Southampton UK First notice and call for papers


A synopsis of no more than 250 words should be submitted to the Conference Department by e-mail to conference@rina.org.uk


52 SHIP & BOAT INTERNATIONAL MAY/JUNE 2007


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