Ballast Water Management Video by IMO

Summary

On September 8, 2017, the IMO's Ballast Water Management Convention came into force, a pivotal moment for the shipping industry and the environment. The convention mandates all international vessels to manage their ballast water to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species. Ships must either exchange water in open seas, at least 200 nautical miles from land and 200 meters deep, or use an approved treatment system. The D1 standard for exchange and the D2 standard for viable organism limits are to be met by all ships, with new ships adhering to D2 by 2020. Compliance is ensured through management plans, certificates, record books, and inspections, marking a significant step in environmental protection.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ The 8th of September 2017 is the entry into force of the IMO's ballast water management convention, which is a significant milestone for the shipping industry and the environment.
• 🌐 The convention addresses the global issue of invasive aquatic species being spread by ships' ballast water, which is recognized as a major environmental threat.
• 🚢 All ships engaged in international traffic must manage their ballast water to prevent the introduction of alien species into coastal waters.
• 💧 Ships can manage their ballast water by either exchanging it in open seas or treating it using an approved ballast water management system.
• 🌊 The D1 standard requires ships to exchange their ballast water at least 200 nautical miles from land and in water at least 200 meters deep.
• 🔬 The D2 standard is a performance standard that specifies the maximum amount of viable organisms, including harmful microbes, allowed to be discharged.
• 🆕 From the day the convention enters into force, all ships must conform to at least the D1 standard, with new ships also required to meet the D2 standard by 2020.
• 🛠️ Existing ships will need to install special equipment to meet the D2 standard, with an implementation timetable based on their IO PPC renewal survey.
• 📝 All ships, new and existing, must have a ship-specific ballast water management plan and an international ballast water management certificate.
• 📚 Ships are also required to carry a ballast water record book to provide evidence that ballast water procedures have been correctly carried out.
• 🔍 Compliance will be confirmed through inspections by port state control, which may include sampling a ship's ballast water and inspecting documentation.
• 🌳 The implementation of the convention is good news for the environment as it actively addresses a major environmental threat, marking another significant milestone for the health of our planet.

Q & A

What significant event occurred on the 8th of September 2017 in the shipping industry?

The entry into force of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Ballast Water Management Convention, which aims to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species through ships' ballast water.

Why is the spread of invasive aquatic species in ships' ballast water considered a major environmental threat?

Invasive aquatic species can disrupt local ecosystems, outcompete native species, and potentially introduce diseases, leading to significant environmental and economic impacts.

What does the Ballast Water Management Convention require of ships engaged in international traffic?

Ships must manage their ballast water to avoid introducing alien species into coastal waters, typically by exchanging their ballast water or treating it using an approved system.

What are the two different standards, D1 and D2, and what do they require?

The D1 standard requires ships to exchange their ballast water in open seas, ideally at least 200 nautical miles from land and in water at least 200 meters deep. The D2 standard specifies the maximum amount of viable organisms, including indicator microbes harmful to human health, allowed to be discharged.

What is the minimum requirement for all ships regarding the D1 standard?

All ships must conform to at least the D1 standard from the day the convention enters into force.

By when must all ships, both new and existing, conform to the D2 standard?

By 2020, all ships, new and existing, must conform to the D2 standard.

What are the immediate requirements for ships regarding ballast water management after the convention's entry into force?

All ships, new and existing, must have a ship-specific ballast water management plan and an international ballast water management certificate issued by or on behalf of their flag state to confirm compliance.

What additional documentation will ships be required to carry to provide evidence of proper ballast water procedures?

Ships will be required to carry a ballast water record book to provide evidence that ballast water procedures have been carried out correctly.

How will compliance with the Ballast Water Management Convention be monitored and enforced?

Compliance will be monitored and enforced through inspections by port state control, which may include sampling a ship's ballast water and inspecting documentation.

What does the implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention mean for the environment?

The implementation is good news for the environment as it actively addresses a major environmental threat by requiring all ships to exchange or treat their ballast water immediately and without delay.

What is the significance of the IMO's Ballast Water Management Convention for the health of the planet?

The convention represents a significant milestone delivered by the IMO for the health of the planet by setting global standards to prevent the environmental damage caused by invasive aquatic species spread through ballast water.