AA
	Regulation of ballast water and the marine environment

International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004


In 2004, the IMO adopted an international convention for the control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments. The requirements apply to all new vessels built from 2012 onwards, and they apply to older vessels as well, leading to a total ban on the transfer of harmful organisms from 2016.



Land and Shipboard Test summary report (.pdf)

	Status Ratification BWM Convention Updated list of contracting states :: Read more
	National Requirements BWM Status of different nations requirements on Ballast Water Management :: Read more
	Timeline for compliance Regulation B-3 Ballast Water Management for Ships :: Read more
	Performance standard Regulation D2 Ballast Water Performance Standard :: Read more
	Global IMO Standards The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water & Sediments was adopted by Diplomatic Conference at IMO in London, February 2004.
	Environmental Issues The introduction of invasive marine species into new environments by ships’ ballast water, attached to ships’ hulls and via other vectors has been identified as one of the four greatest threats to the world’s oceans. The other three are land-based sources of marine pollution, overexploitation of living marine resources and physical alteration/destruction of marine habitat. :: Read more