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Ballast Water Management

This page summarises the main requirements of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (Ballast Water Management Convention or BWM Convention)

Master Unlimted Mariner
What is the purpose of the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC)?

The purpose of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWMC), is to establish agreed minimum standards and procedures to control the spread of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens from one geographic location to another.

The intention behind its implementation is to cease environmental damage caused by ships. By ending the introduction of non-indigenous species to aquatic ecosystems by the uptake and eventual discharge of sediments and ballast waters.

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To which ships do the BWMC requirements apply?

Due to the fact that the ballast waters of any vessel may contain invasive species, all ships including submersibles, oil platforms, floating storage units (FSU), and floating production storage and offloading units (FPSOs) are required to have a Ballast Water Management Plan.

Such ships are required to comply with the D2 discharge standard by the latest 8th September 2024.

Vessels greater than 400GT are obliged to comply with the survey and certification requirements.

Such ships, with a keel laying date before 8th September 2017, are required to comply with the D2 discharge standard in a phased manner. The actual date of implementation of the D2 for each ship is tied to their next IOPP renewal survey.

All new ships with keels laid after 8th September 2017 will comply with the D2 standard upon entering service.

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Are there any ships that are not covered by the BWMC?

BWMC does not apply to:

  • warships, naval auxiliaries and other government ships
  • ships without ballast water, and
  • ships with sealed or permanent ballast water tanks

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Are there any exceptions to the provisions of the IBWMC?

The requirements of the IBWMC shall not apply to ballast water operations under the following circumstances:

  • safety of a ship or saving lives in an emergency
  • accidental discharge or ingress resulting from damage, so far reasonable precautions have been taken to minimise the discharge
  • when the ballast operation was conducted to minimise pollution incidents
  • BW operations conducted on the high seas, and
  • BW operations conducted solely within the same geographical locations

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Provide an outline of the management and control requirements of the IBWMC

The IBWMC establishes the following requirements:

  • survey and certification requirements
  • type approval certification for the D2 treatment system
  • ballast water management plan
  • sediment management and disposal
  • ballast water record book
  • ballast water treatment standards
  • ballast water exchange standards

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What are the requirements for the Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP)?

Each ship shall carry a ship-specific BWMP, written in the working language of the ship and approved by the flag State, containing the following:
• safety procedures for the ship and crew regarding ballast water management;
• procedures to implement the requirements;
• procedures for disposal of sediment at sea and to shore-side facilities;
• identification of the officer in charge of implementing the plan;
• reporting requirements; and
• procedures for coordinating discharges into the waters of coastal states.

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What are the minimum requirements for the Ballast Water Record Book (BWRB)?

Each ship shall maintain a BWRB detailing in the working language of the ship for each operation, whether intentional or accidental, concerning ballast water.

Each entry into the BWRB shall be signed by a responsible officer, and the BWRB shall be retained on board for a minimum of two years after the last entry.

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What are the Ballast Water discharge requirements for ships?

The IBWMC sets out several standards for the management of ballast water of ships which apply according to an agreed timetable for ships. At this time, two methods remain, D1 and D2.

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What is the D1 standard for ballast water exchange?

D1 is a ballast water exchange standard that requires a dilution efficiency of no less than 95% volumetric exchange. There are three practical methods that meet this requirement. They are:

  1. The sequential method is where each tank is emptied and then refilled with replacement ballast water.
  2. The flow-through method utilises a three-times volumetric pump-through adequate to meet the 95% requirement.
  3. In the dilution method, a three times volumetric replacement of the tank water is added to the top of the tank, while discharging the same amount from the bottom of the tank, ensuring that a constant water level is maintained throughout.


Such exchanges must be conducted at least 200’ from the nearest possible land, and in the water at least 200m deep.
Alternatively, coastal States may designate a specific area for ballast water exchange.

Ships are permitted to comply with the D1 requirements until the first renewal survey for the ship's IOPP Certificate.

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Are there any circumstances under which ships are not required to comply with the various D1 standards?

The Convention states that Masters shall not be required to deviate from its intended voyage or delay the voyage, in order to comply.
Additionally, Masters may choose to undertake the exchange operation under the following situations:

  1. under heavy weather conditions
  2. where ship stability and safety would be endangered
  3. under extraordinary operational circumstances, that can make the operation impracticable

In any event, a suitable note shall be entered into the BWRB.

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What is the D2 standard?

D2 sets out the minimum standards for ballast water treatment systems according to the sufficient extermination of viable organisms. Such systems will be IMO type-approved and issued with appropriate Certification, together with operational and safety manuals.

Vessels are required to comply with D2 from the first IOPP renewal survey after 2017.

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What are viable organisms?

Viable organisms are live organisms that can reproduce.

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What certification is required under IBWMC?

All ships above 400GT to which the IBWMC applies shall hold an International Ballast Water Management Certificate, valid for 5 years, to certify that they have successfully undertaken a survey under the requirements of the IBWMC.

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What is the survey regime under the IBWMC?

Under the Harmonised System of Survey and Certification (HSSC), ships that apply to the IBWMC are subjected to the following surveys:

  • initial
  • annual
  • intermediate
  • additional, and
  • renewal.

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