International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships'
Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM) Convention adopted on 13th February 2004, aims
to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to
another, by establishing standards and procedures for the management and
control of ships' ballast water and sediments.
Invasive aquatic species present a major threat to the marine
ecosystems, and shipping has been identified as a major pathway for introducing
species to new environments. The problem increased as trade and traffic volume
expanded over the last few decades and in particular with the introduction of
steel hulls, allowing vessels to use water instead of solid materials as
ballast. The effects of the introduction of new species have in many areas of
the world been devastating. Quantitative data show the rate of bio-invasions is
continuing to increase at an alarming rate. As the volumes of seaborne trade
continue overall to increase, the problem may not yet have reached its peak.
Under the Convention, all ships in International
traffic are required to manage their ballast water and sediments to a certain
standard, according to a ship specific ballast water management plan. All ships
will also have to carry a ballast water record book and an international
ballast water management certificate. The ballast water management standards
will be phased in over a period of time. As an intermediate solution, ships
should exchange ballast water mid-ocean. However, eventually most ships will
need to install an on-board ballast water treatment system.
As on 7th Sept 2016, 51 States have ratified the
BWMC, the combined merchant fleets of which represent 34.87% of the world’s
combined merchant shipping gross tonnage. In order for the criteria to be met
and the BWMC to come into force 12 months later, ratification is required by
not less than 30 States, the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not
less than 35% of the world’s combined merchant shipping gross tonnage.
Her Excellency Mrs. Päivi Luostarinen Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Finland to IMO,
handed over the country’s instrument of acceptance to the Ballast Water
Management Convention to IMO Secretary-General Lim on 8th September 2016.
The accession brings the combined tonnage of contracting States to the
treaty to 35.1441%, with 52 contracting Parties. The convention stipulates that
it will enter into force 12 months after ratification by a minimum of 30
States, representing 35% of world merchant shipping tonnage. Therefore the BWM
Convention will enter on force on 8th Sept 2017.
IMO secretary-general Kitack Lim said the signing was
a “truly significant milestone for the health of our planet”.
Panama authorities has announced that it has
begun the process of accession to the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention
early in this year and Panama also looks likely to ratify the BWMC within the
next few months.
Source: IMO
