Ballast Water Management Under the Ballast Water Management Convention

Abstract

The importance of ballast water as a vector for moving non-indigenous species was initially addressed in a 1973 International Maritime Organization (IMO) resolution. Subsequently IMO worked towards the finalization of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) which was adopted in February 2004 at a diplomatic conference in London. The BWM Convention’s main aim is to prevent, minimize and ultimately eliminate the risks to the environment, human health, property and resources which arise from the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens via ships’ ballast waters and related sediments. It should be noted that harmful aquatic organisms in this context are not limited to non-indigenous species, but covers all aquatic species irrespective of their origin. As defined at IMO “Ballast Water Management means mechanical, physical, chemical, and biological processes, either singularly or in combination, to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens within Ballast Water and Sediments.” The BWM Convention and its supporting guidelines are described in this chapter, outlining the ballast water exchange and performance standards, warnings concerning ballast water uptake in certain areas, ballast water reception facilities, sediment management as well as exemptions and exceptions from ballast water management requirements. This chapter ends with the description of implementation options of the BWM Convention.