Ballast Water Management Video by IMO

The Shipping Observer

14 Sept 201703:15

Summary

TLDROn 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.

Outlines

00:00

🌎 Entry into Force of IMO's Ballast Water Management Convention

The script discusses the significance of September 8, 2017, as the implementation date for the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Ballast Water Management Convention. This convention is a global effort to combat the environmental threat posed by invasive aquatic species spread through ships' ballast water. The convention mandates that all international vessels manage their ballast water to prevent the introduction of alien species into coastal waters, primarily through ballast water exchange in open seas or treatment with an approved system. The script outlines two standards: the D1 standard for ballast water exchange at least 200 nautical miles from land and in waters at least 200 meters deep, and the D2 standard, which sets limits on viable organisms and harmful microbes that can be discharged. All ships must adhere to the D1 standard immediately, with new ships also required to meet the D2 standard by 2020, and all ships conforming to D2 by 2024. Existing ships have an implementation timetable based on their IO PPC renewal survey. Compliance is ensured through a ship-specific management plan, an international certificate, a ballast water record book, and inspections by port state control.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡IMO's Ballast Water Management Convention

The International Maritime Organization's Ballast Water Management Convention is a global treaty aimed at preventing the spread of invasive aquatic species through ships' ballast water. It is central to the video's theme as it marks a significant environmental regulation. The script mentions its entry into force on September 8, 2017, and its requirement for all ships to manage their ballast water to avoid introducing alien species into coastal waters.

💡Invasive Aquatic Species

Invasive aquatic species are non-native organisms that can cause harm to the local ecosystem, often outcompeting native species. The video emphasizes the environmental threat they pose, which is the primary reason for the implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention. The script describes the convention as addressing this threat at a global level.

💡Ballast Water

Ballast water is used in ships to help maintain stability and trim. It is taken on in one body of water and discharged in another, potentially carrying with it invasive species. The video's narrative revolves around the management of this water to prevent environmental damage, as ships are required to either exchange or treat their ballast water according to the new convention.

💡D1 Standard

The D1 standard is one of the two initial standards set by the convention, requiring ships to exchange their ballast water in open seas away from coastal waters. The script specifies that ideally, this should be done at least 200 nautical miles from land and in water at least 200 meters deep, which helps to reduce the survival rate of organisms and thus the risk of introducing harmful species.

💡D2 Standard

The D2 standard is a performance standard that specifies the maximum amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged, including indicator microbes harmful to human health. The video mentions that all ships must conform to at least the D1 standard from the start, with new ships also adhering to the D2 standard by 2020, and all ships, new and existing, conforming to the D2 standard by the same year.

💡Ship-Specific Ballast Water Management Plan

A ship-specific ballast water management plan is a document required by the convention for all ships, new and existing, to have in place. It outlines the procedures for managing ballast water to ensure compliance with the convention. The script highlights the immediate requirement for all ships to have such a plan as part of the convention's implementation.

💡International Ballast Water Management Certificate

This certificate is issued by or on behalf of a ship's flag state to confirm compliance with the Ballast Water Management Convention. The video script mentions that all ships must carry this certificate as evidence of their adherence to the new environmental regulations.

💡Ballast Water Record Book

The ballast water record book is a log that all ships are required to carry, providing evidence that ballast water procedures have been carried out correctly. It is part of the compliance measures outlined in the convention, ensuring that ships are accountable for their ballast water management practices.

💡Port State Control

Port state control refers to the inspections conducted by authorities in a port to ensure that ships comply with international regulations, including the Ballast Water Management Convention. The script mentions that ships will be subject to these inspections, which may include sampling a ship's ballast water and inspecting documentation.

💡Environmental Threat

The term 'environmental threat' is used in the script to describe the impact of invasive aquatic species spread by ships' ballast water. It is a key concept that the video addresses, highlighting the convention's role in actively combating a major environmental issue.

💡Implementation Timetable

The implementation timetable refers to the schedule for existing ships to install special equipment in accordance with the D2 standard. The script explains that this schedule is based on the date of a ship's IO PPC renewal survey, indicating a phased approach to full compliance with the convention.

Highlights

The 8th of September 2017 marks the entry into force of IMO's ballast water management convention, a crucial step for the shipping industry and the environment.

The convention addresses the global issue of the spread of invasive aquatic species in ships' ballast water, recognized as a major environmental threat.

From the convention's entry into force, all ships in international traffic must manage their ballast water to avoid introducing alien species into coastal waters.

Ships are required to either exchange their ballast water or treat it using an approved ballast water management system.

The D1 standard mandates ballast water exchange in open seas at least 200 nautical miles from land and in water at least 200 meters deep.

The D2 standard is a performance standard specifying the maximum viable organisms allowed to be discharged, including harmful indicator microbes.

All ships must conform to at least the D1 standard from the convention's entry, and new ships to the D2 standard by 2020.

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

For existing ships, conforming to the D2 standard involves installing special equipment and follows 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 of correctly carried out ballast water procedures.

All ships will be subject to inspections by port state control to confirm compliance, which may include sampling a ship's ballast water and inspecting documentation.

The convention's implementation begins immediately, with all ships required to have a ballast water management plan and certificate from day one.

The requirement to exchange or treat ballast water applies to all ships immediately, marking an active step in addressing a major environmental threat.

The IMO's convention represents a significant milestone for the health of our planet by actively addressing the spread of invasive species.

The convention's implementation is a positive development for the environment, as it requires immediate action to mitigate the impact of invasive species.

Ships must comply with the new standards to ensure they do not contribute to the introduction of harmful species in coastal waters.