Where can I find information on ballast water management?
Information on ballast water management may be obtained from the IMO website (http://www.imo.org) or from the ballast water dedicated site developed by GloBallast Programme (http://globallast.imo.org.)
Information on various ballast water treatment technologies that are currently being developed and researched may be obtained from GLOBALLAST R&D Directory available at http://globallast.imo.org. An industry Guide commissioned by the Lloyd’s Register on the current status, availability and specification of ballast water management systems is available at
http://www.lr.org/Industries/Marine/Services/Consultancy/Ballast+water+management.htm
Further information on the latest developments during the Marine Environment Protection Committee may be obtained from Briefing on Marine Environment Protection Committee Meetings from IMO website at www.imo.org (choose 'News room', 'Press Briefing').
Additional information about ballast water management issue may be obtained from the websites developed by various government or non-government organizations, which have been listed by GloBallast (choose Links from the GloBallast homepage).
What is the latest status of the BWM Convention?
The BWM Convention will enter into force 12 months after ratification by 30 States, representing 35 per cent of world merchant shipping tonnage. As at 14 October 2010, 27 countries have ratified the Convention, representing 25.32% of the world merchant fleet tonnage . Latest information can be found from the IMO website (http://www.imo.org, click on “quick link: Conventions”, then click on “Status of conventions-summary” or “Status of conventions-by countries”).
Where can I get the text of the BWM Convention?
The text of the Convention is available from IMO Publication at www.imo.org (ISBN 92-801-0033-5, sales number: 1620M).
How many Guidelines on ballast water management have been adopted and where can I find the texts of those Guidelines?
The following Guidelines relating to the uniform implementation of the BWM Convention have been developed and adopted since MEPC 53:
Guidelines for sediment reception facilities (G1) adopted by resolution MEPC.152(55);
Guidelines for ballast water sampling (G2) (resolution MEPC.173(58));
Guidelines for ballast water management equivalent compliance (G3) adopted by resolution MEPC.123(53);
Guidelines for ballast water management and development of ballast water management plans (G4) adopted by resolution MEPC.127(53);
Guidelines for ballast water reception facilities (G5) adopted by resolution MEPC.153(55);
Guidelines for ballast water exchange (G6) adopted by resolution MEPC.124(53);
Guidelines for risk assessment under regulation A-4 of the BWM convention (G7) adopted by resolution MEPC.162(56);
Guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8) (resolution MEPC.174(58))
Procedure for approval of ballast water management systems that make use of Active Substances (G9) (resolution MEPC.169(57))
Guidelines for approval and oversight of prototype ballast water treatment technology programmes (G10) adopted by resolution MEPC.140(54);
Guidelines for ballast water exchange design and construction standards (G11) adopted by resolution MEPC.149(55);
Guidelines on design and construction to facilitate sediment control on ships (G12) adopted by resolution MEPC.150(55);
Guidelines for additional measures regarding ballast water management including emergency situations (G13) adopted by resolution MEPC.161(56);
Guidelines on designation of areas for ballast water exchange (G14) adopted by resolution MEPC.151(55);
Guidelines for ballast water exchange in the Antarctic treaty area adopted by resolution MEPC.163(56).
To purchase the Guidelines for the uniform implementation of the BWM Convention please click here
What are the requirements for approval of ballast water management systems?
In accordance with the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM Convention), ballast water management systems used to comply with the Convention must be approved by the Administration taking into account Guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8).
Ballast water management systems which make use of Active Substances to comply with the Convention shall be approved by IMO in accordance with ‘Procedure for approval of ballast water management systems that make use of Active Substances (G9)’. According to regulation A-1.7 of the BWM Convention, an Active Substance is a substance or organism, including a virus or a fungus, that has a general or specific action on or against harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens.
What are the requirements for testing body performing the test of ballast water management systems?
Both the Guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8) and Procedure for approval of Ballast Water Management systems that make use of Active Substances (G9) require that the testing body performing the test should have implemented appropriate quality control measures in accordance with recognized international standards (such as IS0/IEC 17025) acceptable to the Administration. All the tests should be carried out in accordance with international recognized guidelines. In the context of sample analysis of the organisms, Guidelines (G8) recommended that a non-exhaustive list of standard methods and innovative research techniques be considered. Suggested methods may include but not be limited to ISO standard methods, UNESCO standard methods, American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard methods, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency standard methods.
What are the main steps for certification and testing of ballast water management systems?
In accordance with Guidelines for Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems (G8), the requirements related to certification and testing may be summarized as follows:
.1 The manufacturer of the equipment should submit information regarding the design, construction, operation and functioning of the Ballast Water Management System. This information should be the basis for a first evaluation of suitability by the Administration.
.2 The Ballast Water Management System should be tested for Type Approval, the testing body performing the tests should have implemented appropriate quality control measures acceptable to the Administration.
.3 The electrical and electronic section of Ballast Water Management Systems should be subjected to the programme of environmental tests set out in Guidelines (G8) at a laboratory approved for the purpose by the Administration.
.4 Successful fulfillment of the requirements and procedures for Type Approval should lead to the issuance of a Type Approval Certificate by the Administration.
.5 When a Type Approved Ballast Water Management System is installed on board, an installation survey should be carried out.
It should be noted that Type Approval testing includes both shipboard testing and land-based testing. It is the Administration who decides the sequence of land-based testing and shipboard testing.
What are the requirements for submission of application for approval?
Approval of ballast water management systems that make use of Active Substances should be proposed by the Member States. Manufacturers are advised to contact their national administrations for detailed requirements and procedures. Address is available from at http://www.imo.org More information can be obtained from document BWM.2/Circ.26 which can be downloaded from IMO website (from IMO home page www.imo.org, click on “Circular” in quick link, click on “BWM ”).
Where can I find the information on the approved ballast water management systems?
Section 8 of the Procedure (G9) requests IMO to record the Basic and Final Approval of Active Substances and Preparations and ballast water management systems that make use of Active Substances and to circulate the list once a year. The 2010 list is contained in document BWM.2/Circ.30 which can be downloaded from IMO website (from IMO home page www.imo.org, click on “Circular” in quick link, click on “BWM ”).
It should be noted that ballast water management systems using Active Substances which have received Final Approval are required to go through the Type Approval procedure as contained in Guidelines (G8) and the successful fulfilment should lead to the issuance of a Type Approval Certificate by the Administration.