US EPA 2013 Vessel General Permit

US EPA 2013 Vessel General Permit

 

On 28 March, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the 2013 Vessel General Permit (VGP) regulating discharges from commercial vessels, including ballast water, into US waters. The VGP covers commercial vessels greater than 79 feet in length, excluding military and recreational vessels, and will replace the 2008 Vessel General Permit on 19 December 2013. The text of the new VGP, along with additional information pertaining to its requirements is posted on the EPA website. The EPA intends to issue an additional "Small Vessel General Permit" (sVGP) later this year.