Finland’s ratification means the convention will come into force on 8 September 2017, which is now set to be a key date for shipowners, managers and equipment manufacturers around the world.
Finland’s accession brings the combined tonnage of contracting states to the treaty to 35.1441 percent, with 52 contracting parties. The convention stipulates that it will enter into force 12 months after ratification by a minimum of 30 States, representing 35 percent of world merchant shipping tonnage.
Read more: NIVA officially approved by USCG as subcontracted testing facility for BWMS
Norway is a major shipping nation and Norwegian shipowners own and operates a large part of the world fleet through shipping companies registered in other countries. The Norwegian offshore fleet and rig fleet is among the largest in the world. Thus it is natural that Norwegian actors are central in the development of technology for ballast water.
NIVA’s Marine Research Station at Solbergstrand in the narrow Drøbak Sound, a little south of Oslo, became the first internationally authorised full scale testing facility for both marine water and brackish water in 2005.
ballasttech-niva.com 