The purpose of the Shipboard
Technology Evaluation Program (STEP) is to facilitate the development of
effective ballast water management system technologies, in order to create
more options for vessel owners seeking alternatives to ballast water
exchange. STEP participation is available to all foreign and domestic
vessels subject to the Coast Guard’s Ballast Water Management (BWM)
regulations, 33 CFR 151 subparts C and D.
Technology developers and
vessel owners have expressed the need for incentives that will encourage the
development of prototype treatment systems and shipboard testing, however,
vessel owners have expressed a reluctance to invest the resources to install
and operate an experimental treatment system that might not meet discharge
standards mandated by future regulations. To address this concern, vessels
accepted into this voluntary, no cost program may be granted an equivalency to future ballast
water discharge standard regulations, for up to the life of the vessel or
the system, while they operate satisfactorily.
Ships Enrolled or being reviewed for STEP
|
Ship, Official number, Owner |
Technology |
Docket # |
|
CORAL PRINCESS #9229659 Princess Cruise Lines |
||
|
MOKU PAHU Matson Shipping |
||
|
ATLANTIC COMPASS Atlantic Container Lines |
||
|
S/R AMERICAN PROGRESS # 1053997 SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. |
||
| APL ENGLAND # 9218650 APL Limited | NEI Treatment Systems | 2009-0739 |
|
CELEBRITY MERCURY # 9106302 Celebrity Cruises |
Hyde Marine Systems | 2009-0000 |
|
Your vessel name here!
|
Next vendor | 2009-0000 |
Applications received but still in clearance appear in grey. Links include the vessel record in the Coast Guard database, the owner company web site and to the technology provider’s commercial site.
Docket number links are to the Environmental Assessment document prepared to evaluate the applicant for enrollment into STEP. This includes a review of the vessel operations, regular ports of call, treatment system type and impacts on the affected environments. Also available from the docket are comments from public and private entities with concerns about Ballast Water Management and the specific application details.
Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular 01-04 (NVIC 01-04) establishes the process and gives additional information for vessel owners to apply to STEP. The application format is intended to assist applicants to prepare and submit all necessary information in a clear and consistent manner, thus facilitating the review process. Potential applicants should familiarize themselves with the contents of this guidance before completing the application. There is no charge for applying to or being enrolled in STEP.
| Application Instructions | STEP Application |
We are very interested in receiving additional applications - please contact us to discuss your eligibility.
COMMANDANT CG-5224 Email Address: brian.e.moore@uscg.mil
ATTN STEP PROGRAM MANAGER
US COAST GUARD
2100 2ND ST SW STOP 7126
WASHINGTON DC 20593-7126