MEPC.107(49) Revision: New Testing Standards for Bilge Water Separators under Development.
Following last week’s PPR meeting in London — where Marinfloc’s Benny Carlson participated as part of the Swedish delegation — new testing standards for bilge water separators are now being developed.
The planned revision of MEPC.107(49) aims to better reflect modern fuels, oily mixtures and real operating conditions onboard vessels.
Why this matters
Fuel types have changed significantly in recent years.
As a result, the composition of bilge water has also changed.
Today’s fuels, additives and cleaning agents create more stable emulsions that are harder to separate. The current approval tests were not designed for these conditions.
The upcoming revision aims to better align testing with real onboard challenges.
Likely consequences
The regulatory update may result in:
Updated test fluids and performance requirements
Closer examination of separator performance under realistic conditions and alarm reliability
Clearer expectations for monitoring accuracy and documentation
Increased pressure on equipment not designed for more representative test conditions
For shipowners, this may influence fleet planning and long-term compliance strategy.
For manufacturers, it will clarify the difference between documented performance and assumed performance.
Adapting to changing conditions
For 30 years, Marinfloc has operated dynamic separation systems that can be adjusted to different operating conditions and fuel types. During this time, we have observed how modern fuels affect oily bilge water treatment.
A review of the regulations, including updated testing procedures, is therefore important from an environmental perspective. Systems originally designed for simpler conditions may struggle under today’s more complex operating environment.
Further reading
Read more about how flocculation works here
Read more about our bilge water separators here
Sources
Bureau Veritas – PPR 13 Summary Report
Lloyd’s Register – PPR 13 Summary Report.
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