20 
BSH kompakt 
2007 
Two methods developed by German 
manufacturers which Involve the 
use of active substances for bal 
last water treatment have been 
submitted to IMO for approval; 
the BSH expects to grant final ap 
proval for the treatment systems 
in 2008; 
The German coastal states’ Water 
Police Inspected 9,823 vessels; 
Of a total of 1,372 cases of non- 
compliance, 119 were referred to 
the BSH for further handling; 
186 cases of water pollution were 
reported, with 29 suspected pol 
luters Identified and proceedings 
Instituted by the Public Prosecu 
tor; 
Fines totalling €136,650 were Im 
posed for 132 violations; 
Analysis of more than 125 oil 
samples as part of criminal pro 
ceedings; 
70 drift and dispersion simulations 
provided to the Central Com 
mand for Maritime Emergencies 
Germany and the prosecuting 
authorities. 
WORLDWIDE 
Environmental protection in shipping 
Ships are a relatively environmentally 
compatible and efficient means 
of transport. Nevertheless, the 
environmental Impacts of ship 
operation are to be further reduced 
on the basis of International 
environmental standards. The 
MARPOL Convention, for example, 
helps to protect the oceans against 
pollution from oil, waste water, 
chemicals, and ships’ noxious 
exhaust gases. The BSH Imposes 
fines for violations of the Convention, 
e.g. non-compliance with the 
requirement to keep the Oil Record 
Book properly, In which ships have 
to record all shipboard transactions 
Involving oil either as fuel or cargo. 
False entries are often made to cover 
up Illegal discharges of oily residues 
Into the sea. A computer aided oil 
analysis method helping to Identify 
polluters, which has been developed 
at the BSH, and computer simulations 
of drift and dispersion which are run 
at the BSH are useful tools In the 
prosecution of polluters. 
Worldwide environmental standards 
are being developed further. The 
International Maritime Organization 
(IMO) decided In 2008 that, by 2020, 
vessels have to change over from 
high-sulphur heavy fuel oil with a 
high proportion of residue to cleaner 
distillate fuels. 
Another major problem, which the 
United Nations consider one of the 
four blggests threats to the marine 
environment, Is the Introduction of 
non-lndlgenous species via ships’ 
ballast water. The International 
community of nations Is trying to cope 
with this problem by Implementing 
the Ballast Water Convention, which 
prohibits the former practice of 
uncontrolled ballast water exchange. 
Suitable technical solutions for ballast 
water treatment are currently being 
developed, which may be available 
for shipboard use from 2009.