33 CFR 151.2026: Alternate management systems for ballast water

Last reviewed: October 14, 2026

This section lets a manufacturer ask the Coast Guard to determine that a foreign-approved ballast water management system (BWMS) is an alternate management system (AMS). It lists what the request must include and where to send it. It also limits how long a vessel may use an installed AMS and requires the AMS to be maintained and operated in conformity with the system specifications.

Applies toManufacturers of ballast water management systems approved by a foreign administration, and the master, owner, operator, agent, or person in charge of a vessel using an AMS.

What it says

  1. A manufacturer whose BWMS a foreign administration approved under the 2004 International Convention standards may ask in writing for the Coast Guard to determine that the BWMS is an AMS.

    33 CFR 151.2026(a)“may request in writing, for the Coast Guard to make a determination that their BWMS is an alternate management system (AMS)”

  2. The request must include the type-approval certificate for the BWMS.

    33 CFR 151.2026(a)(1)“The type-approval certificate for the BWMS.”

  3. The request must include a description of any modifications made to the system after completion of the testing for which a determination is requested.

    33 CFR 151.2026(a)(4)“A description of any modifications made to the system after completion of the testing for which a determination is requested;”

  4. The request must include a type approval application as described under 46 CFR 162.060-12.

    33 CFR 151.2026(a)(5)“A type approval application as described under 46 CFR 162.060-12.”

  5. Once ballast water management systems are type approved by the Coast Guard and available for a given class, type of vessels, or specific vessel, those vessels will no longer be able to install an AMS in lieu of type approved systems.

    33 CFR 151.2026(a)(i)“those vessels will no longer be able to install AMS in lieu of type approved systems.”

  6. The master, owner, operator, agent, or person in charge of a vessel with an AMS installed before the compliance date may use it for no longer than 5 years from the date the vessel would otherwise have to comply under the schedule in § 151.2035(b).

    33 CFR 151.2026(c)“may employ such AMS for no longer than 5 years from the date they would otherwise be required to comply with the ballast water discharge standard”

  7. The master, owner, operator, agent, or person in charge must ensure the AMS is maintained and operated in conformity with the system specifications.

    33 CFR 151.2026(c)“must ensure the AMS is maintained and operated in conformity with the system specifications.”

  8. An AMS determination may be suspended, withdrawn, or terminated in accordance with the procedures in 46 CFR 162.060-18.

    33 CFR 151.2026(d)“may be suspended, withdrawn, or terminated in accordance with the procedures contained in 46 CFR 162.060-18.”

Common questions

Where do I send an AMS determination request?

Requests must be submitted in writing to the Commanding Officer (MSC), Marine Safety Center, at the Washington, DC address given in the section, or by email to msc@uscg.mil.

“Requests for determinations must be submitted in writing to the Commanding Officer (MSC), Attn: Marine Safety Center”

How long can a vessel use an AMS?

A vessel with an AMS installed before its compliance date may use it for no longer than 5 years from the date it would otherwise have to comply under the schedule in § 151.2035(b).

“may employ such AMS for no longer than 5 years from the date they would otherwise be required to comply with the ballast water discharge standard”

Can an AMS determination be withdrawn?

Yes. An AMS determination may be suspended, withdrawn, or terminated in accordance with the procedures in 46 CFR 162.060-18.

“may be suspended, withdrawn, or terminated in accordance with the procedures contained in 46 CFR 162.060-18.”

The text of 33 CFR 151.2026

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR

Alternate management systems

(a) A manufacturer whose ballast water management system (BWMS) has been approved by a foreign administration pursuant to the standards set forth in the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004, may request in writing, for the Coast Guard to make a determination that their BWMS is an alternate management system (AMS). Requests for determinations under this section must include:

(1) The type-approval certificate for the BWMS.

(2) Name, point of contact, address, and phone number of the authority overseeing the program;

(3) Final test results and findings, including the full analytical procedures and methods, results, interpretations of the results, and full description and documentation of the Quality Assurance procedures (i.e., sample chain of custody forms, calibration records, etc.);

(4) A description of any modifications made to the system after completion of the testing for which a determination is requested; and

(5) A type approval application as described under 46 CFR 162.060-12.

(i) Once ballast water management systems are type approved by the Coast Guard and available for a given class, type of vessels, or specific vessel, those vessels will no longer be able to install AMS in lieu of type approved systems.

(ii) [Reserved]

(b) Requests for determinations must be submitted in writing to the Commanding Officer (MSC), Attn: Marine Safety Center, U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7430, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20593-7430, or by email to msc@uscg.mil”..

(c) If using an AMS that was installed on the vessel prior to the date that the vessel is required to comply with the ballast water discharge standard in accordance with § 151.2035(b), the master, owner, operator, agent, or person in charge of the vessel subject to this subpart may employ such AMS for no longer than 5 years from the date they would otherwise be required to comply with the ballast water discharge standard in accordance with the implementation schedule in § 151.2035 (b) of this subpart. To ensure the safe and effective management and operation of the AMS equipment, the master, owner, operator, agent or person in charge of the vessel must ensure the AMS is maintained and operated in conformity with the system specifications.

(d) An AMS determination issued under this section may be suspended, withdrawn, or terminated in accordance with the procedures contained in 46 CFR 162.060-18.

Sections it refers to

The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.