The US Coast Guard (USCG) has issued their first type approval for a ballast water management system.

The approval has been issued to Norwegian manufacturer Optimarin AS for their filtration/ultraviolet ballast water management system. In conjunction with this approval, the US Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Information Bulletin (OES-MSIB 14-16) that provides advice on the impact of this approval with respect to existing extension dates and application for new extension dates for fitting a ship with an approved ballast water treatment system.