NOTES ON BWM

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 .

How many Guidelines on ballast water management have been adopted?

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).

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.