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Background
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Administrations and Classification Societies utilize the results for these series of land-based and
shipboard BWTS tests, combined with other relevant information, for a final decision on Type
Approval Certification of individual BWTS.
1.2. MERC Background
MERC was created by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)
and Maryland Port Administration, with additional support from the US Maritime
Administration, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to provide test facilities,
expertise, information, and decision tools to address key environmental issues facing the
international maritime industry. The primary focus is to evaluate the mechanical and biological
efficacy, costs, and logistical aspects of ballast water treatment systems and to assess the
economic impacts of ballast water regulations and management approaches.
The goal of MERC BWTS testing is to conduct independent, scientifically-sound, quality-
assured evaluations of treatment approaches and systems with regard to factors such as
biological treatment efficacy, predictability/reliability, environmental acceptability, and safety.
MERC conducts R&D and certification testing of treatment systems at three levels: lab bench
proof-of-concept, land-based prototype, and shipboard validation/verification. All MERC testing
protocols are based on the IMO G8 and G9 Guidelines and the ETV Protocol, and employ
scientifically validated or accepted approaches methods.
While the initial and primary focus of MERC is on ballast water treatment systems, the Center
has the expertise, facilities, academic independence, and scientific integrity that will allow for
testing and assessment of additional technologies and innovations related to Green Shipping,
including hull fouling invasive species, port and vessel air emissions and alternative fuels, and
gray and oily water treatments.
MERC’s four main objectives are:
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provide technology developers/vendors with facilities and expertise for pilot-scale and
shipboard evaluations of treatment systems;
•
provide regulatory agencies and classification societies with standardized, rigorous, and
independent data on treatment system performance;
•
provide ship builders and shipping lines with information and decision tools to select the
most appropriate ballast water treatment options; and
•
remove as much uncertainty as possible from emerging markets for treatment systems in
order to accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies.
1.3.
Test Descriptions
MERC test activities may have several goals including:
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Pre-certification testing, i.e., operational and biological performance (including residual
toxicity) status-testing given scale-up and a range of challenge conditions; and