Shipping moves over 80% of the world’s commodities and transfers approximately three to five billion tonnes of ballast
water internationally every year. Ballast water is essential to the safe and efficient operation of shipping, but it also poses a
serious ecological, economic and health threat through the transfer of invasive aquatic species inadvertently carried in it.
Ballast water contains a variety of organisms including bacteria and viruses and the adult and larval stages of the many
marine and coastal plants and animals. While the vast majority of such organisms will not survive to the point when the
ballast is discharged, some may survive and thrive in their new environment. These ‘non-native species’, if they become
established, can have a serious ecological, economic and public health impact on the receiving environment.
The transfer of invasive marine species into new environments via ballast water has been identified as one of the major
threats to the world’s oceans. In response, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held
in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, in its Agenda 21, called on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other international
bodies to take action to address the problem.
By this time, the IMO had been seeking a solution for over 10 years. In 1991, it published Guidelines for Preventing the
Introduction of Unwanted Organisms and Pathogens from Ship’s Ballast Waters and Sediment Discharges. These were
updated in 1993. In 1997, the IMO published Guidelines for Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water to Minimize
the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens (Resolution A.868(20)).
In February 2004, the IMO adopted the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water
and Sediments (the Ballast Water Management or BWM Convention) to regulate discharges of ballast water and reduce the
risk of introducing non-native species from ships’ ballast water. To complement the BWM Convention, the IMO has adopted
guidelines contained in its Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) resolutions and circulars.
The BWM Convention imposes a challenging ballast water discharge standard. In response to this, a number of technologies
have been developed and commercialised by different vendors. Many have their origins in land-based applications for
municipal and industrial water and effluent treatment, and have been adapted to meet the requirements of the BWM
Convention and shipboard operation. These systems must be tested and approved in accordance with the relevant IMO
Guidelines.
In addition to the IMO, other national bodies have introduced regulations in response to national concerns. The most
influential of these is the United States Coast Guard (USCG) which has established both regulations and guidelines to
prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species. The USCG’s final rule was published on 23 March 2012 in
the Federal Register, and became effective on 21 June, 2012.
This publication gives an overview of the BWM Convention requirements and guidance on preparing for its implementation,
including what you need to consider when selecting, procuring and installing a ballast water treatment system. A supporting
spreadsheet listing available ballast water treatment systems can be downloaded at www.lr.org/bwm
The publication also includes a frequently asked questions section and a list of useful references for further information and
guidance.
The continued assistance of the technology suppliers who contributed much of the information it contains is gratefully
acknowledged.
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