An example of what might begin to pave the
way for a uniform set of ballast water regulations throughout the Great
Lakes States, a goal which is supported by USGLSA
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Proposes Modification of Ballast Rule
Report
Confirms State’s Higher Standards Cannot Be Achieved
Washington, D.C. (December 22, 2010)
– As a consequence of a year-long feasibility study, the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) proposed late yesterday that its
Vessel General Permit be modified to harmonize it with international
ballast water discharge rules. The requirements become effective in 2012
for new ocean-going vessels and in 2014 for existing ocean-going vessels.
When not fully loaded, commercial cargo ships must take
on water (ballast) to maintain their stability. Once pumped on board,
ballast water is stored in narrow cavities (ballast tanks) built into the hull
of a ship. Ballast water pumped onboard in one port may inadvertently
contain aquatic organisms that are then released when ballast is discharged
in another port.
In February 2010, the state of Wisconsin began regulating
the ballast water discharges of ocean-going commercial vessels in an effort
to minimize the transfer of aquatic invasive species. These regulations
require vessel operators to install environmental technology to clean or
treat ballast water to achieve a specific water quality standard.
Wisconsin’s standard was 100 times more stringent than that established by
the International Maritime Organization (IMO), an agency of the United
Nations.
The shipping industry had objected to Wisconsin’s water
quality standard, insisting that it was unachievable with current
technology. As a consequence, the state launched a feasibility study to be
concluded at the end of 2010.
The following determinations have been made as a result
of that year-long process:
Ø
Testing
protocols are not available to verify compliance with Wisconsin’s standard.
Ø
Treatment
technologies to meet Wisconsin’s standard are not commercially available at
this time.
Ø
At
this time it is not feasible to install the treatment technologies onboard
vessels.
Ø
Open-ocean
salt water flushing has been proven to be effective in helping reduce the
threat of aquatic non-indigenous species to U.S. waters. WDNR will retain
this practice for the long term in an effort to better protect their
waters.
Jason Serck, president of the
Wisconsin Commercial Port Association, commented: “I commend the Department
of Natural Resources for undertaking this study and proposing a change of
regulations to reflect sound science. The proposed change will save
Wisconsin jobs by harmonizing Wisconsin’s regulations with those of
neighboring states.”
Marc
Gagnon, Director of Government Affairs and Regulatory Compliance with
Montreal-based Fednav Limited, one of the largest
international marine bulk shipping companies in Canada, concurred: “The
Wisconsin DNR’s recommendation to adopt the IMO ballast water treatment
standards is most encouraging.”
He continued: “In Wisconsin,
science and reason have prevailed in recognizing that the IMO ballast water
treatment standards are effective, biologically defensible and verifiable.
Supplementing those standards, as Wisconsin's regulation
stipulates, by requiring that ocean going vessels continue to exchange
their ballast at sea or flush their NOBOB tanks with salt water, will ensure
that the Great Lakes retain their current standing as the region with the
most stringent ballast water requirements anywhere.”
New York ballast water Regulations threaten Lake/Seaway
operations
Under currently proposed New York ballast water regulations, the standards
to be met appear to require purity as to as much as 100 to 1000 times
greater than recommended IMO Standards. At 1000 times, that
level exceeds the quality of distilled water. Vessel operators have stated
that these standards will be impossible to meet as technology to do so
on a commercial basis does not exist, such that by 2012, when the standards
begin to be effective, operations in New York waters may have to cease.
Below is the text which establishes these standards.
New York
United States Great Lakes
Shipping Association elects Thomas Gierszal
President
CLEVELAND, OHIO
APRIL 26, 2010
The United States Great Lakes Shipping Association, Inc., Cleveland,
Ohio (“USGLSA”), announced today that at the
recently held Association Annual Meeting, Mr. Thomas Gierszal
was named President, succeeding Dennis “Doc” Mahoney.
USGLSA is a trade association consisting of vessel agents which serve
the marine industry at ports around the Great Lakes.
Born in Erie, Pa., Mr. Gierszal is a
co-owner and Vice President of Operations of Columbus Shipping and Trading
Agency, Inc., with offices in Westlake, Ohio. He has been associated
with Columbus for 16 years.
He earned a BA in business at Mercyhurst
College, Erie, Pa., where he also was a member of Kappa Gamma Pi, National
Catholic Honor Society.
Columbus Shipping is a family operated company which has been in
business for over 40 years, with beginnings first as Codan
Corp, stevedores at the Port of Erie, Pa and is now run by the second
generation of the family including Mr. Gierszal.
Mr. Gierszal is a member of the Board of
Directors of the Propeller Club – Port of Cleveland and an active sponsor
and spokesperson for international trade and shipping in the Great
Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway System.
“We are pleased and honored that Tom would assume this important
leadership position for our Association,” said Doc Mahoney, retiring
President, who also remains on the USGLSA Board.
For more information, contact Stuart H. Theis, USGLSA Executive
Director
440/357-9104 theismarine@roadrunner.com
******************
USGLSA publishes
announcement regarding new Notice procedures to notify for pilots for
vessel upbound to Pilot District 3
M E M O R A N
D U M
TO: All Vessels headed to District 3
FROM: United States Great Lakes Shipping Association
DATE: April 20, 2010
RE: Notifications required for Pilotage in District 3
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
Please be advised
that new procedures have been placed in effect covering notification
requirements for vessels intending use of District 3 Western Great Lakes
Pilotage services. These procedures have been reviewed and endorsed
by United States Coast Guard Office of Great Lakes Pilotage.
Previously, notifications may have been made though District 2, and
while such notification is still encouraged in the interests of best
information, notification directly to the District 3 Dispatch Office is now
mandatory as follows:
1)
For vessels originating in the Detroit/St. Clair River (docked or
anchored) a 12 hour and a 4 hour call to District 3 Dispatch prior to
departure is required. Then, when the vessel is underway, an
additional advisory call should be made.
2)
For vessels transiting directly to District 3, a call to District 3
Dispatch is required when passing Detroit.
Failure to follow these steps may result in delays due to
unavailability of pilots to meet the vessel on a timely basis.
Arrangements for agents to handle these responsibilities must be
clearly communicated and understood. In absence of such assistance, it is
the responsibility of the vessel to make the calls.
DISRTICT 3 DISPATCH OFFICE – 715/392-5200
January
4, 2008
Here are some addresses for TWIC enrollment Centers at Lakes Ports: