The Coast Guard Marine Safety Center issued the sixth U.S. Coast Guard Ballast Water Management System Type Approval Certificate to ERMA FIRST ESK Engineering Solutions S.A. after a detailed review of the manufacturer’s type approval application determined the system met the requirements of 46 CFR 162.060. A copy of the type approval certificate may be obtained by contacting the manufacturer.

The treatment principle of the ERMA FIRST BWTS FIT consists of a three step process consisting of filtration and electrolysis during uptake, and neutralization at discharge. This approval covers thirteen models with maximum treatment rated capacities between 90 m3/h and 3,740 m3/h.

A complete list of ballast water treatment systems that have been approved or have type approval applications currently under review can be found on the Marine Safety Center webpage.

The Coast Guard’s ballast water portal provides information on BWM compliance date extensions. The site also provides access to regulations, policy letters, informational bulletins, and extension application status to help the maritime industry comply with the BWM requirements.

Please send requests for compliance extension and questions regarding the Coast Guard’s BWM extension program to environmental_standards@uscg.mil.

This blog is not a replacement or substitute for the formal posting of regulations and updates or existing processes for receiving formal feedback of the same. Links provided on this blog will direct the reader to official source documents, such as the Federal Register, Homeport and the Code of Federal Regulations. These documents remain the official source for regulatory information published by the Coast Guard.