Rules & Regulations

Mr. Marine Ballast conducts all testing of BWMS in accordance with the BWMS Code. We perform our services under the supervision of the national administration. Contact our team if you have any questions about the applicable BWTS rules and regulations!
BWTS regulations
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Rules & Regulations

Note

All vessels must meet the D2 standard by 8 September 2024.

 

Mr Marine Ballast, a part of Mr Marine, fully complies with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM), including the ballast water exchange standard and the ballast water performance standard. Both IMO and American authorities require that all ballast water must be properly treated to remove harmful organisms before discharge, in accordance with the BWM Convention

These rules, which entered into force in September 2017 (d-1), were created to protect aquatic life from the spread of harmful organisms from one region to another. The rules outline strict standards and procedures that companies must comply with, in order to manage their ballast water and the organisms therein.

Mr. Marine Ballast conducts all testing of Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) in accordance with the BWMS Code, and performs it under the supervision of a national administration. The survey (MEPC) of BWTS approved by USCG (United States Coast Guard) ensures compliance with the regulatory requirements.

Ballast Water Conventions

Vessel owners and operators bear the responsibility of preventing bio-invasion resulting from ballast water. This crucial requirement is guided and enforced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In 2004, the IMO adopted the Ballast Water Management Convention, officially known as the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention). The primary objective of this convention is to combat the spread of invasive alien species and pathogens by mandating that vessels effectively remove or neutralize any water-borne organisms and pathogens present in ballast water before its release elsewhere.

The BWM Convention serves as a vital tool in protecting marine ecosystems and reducing the ecological risks associated with ballast water discharge. It emphasises the need for vessels to employ approved Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) or alternative measures to achieve compliance with the convention’s standards.

By implementing the convention’s requirements, vessel owners and operators contribute to safeguarding the marine environment and maintaining the ecological balance. The BWM Convention plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable shipping practices and minimising the adverse impacts of ballast water discharge on global ecosystems.

D-1 and D-2 Standards

D-1 and D-2 are two phases of the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM Convention) established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to regulate the treatment and discharge of ballast water by ships.

Both D-1 and D-2 aim to minimize the ecological impact of ballast water discharge and reduce the introduction of invasive species. 

Compliance with these phases of the BWM Convention is crucial for promoting sustainable shipping practices and preserving the health of marine environments worldwide.

Every ship needs a plan

The convention entered into force globally on 8 September 2017 (d-1). Since then, vessels sailing in international waters are required to manage their ballast water and sediments according to the standard prescribed by a ballast water management plan. Such a plan must be drawn up specifically for each vessel and include contingency measures in case of non-compliance.

If you’re sailing in international traffic, your ship needs to have the following on board, according to the IMO’s website:

  • A ballast water management plan.
    Specific to each ship, the ballast water management plan includes a detailed description of the actions to be taken to implement the ballast water management requirements and supplemental ballast water management practices;
  • A ballast water record book.
    To record when ballast water is taken on board; circulated or treated for ballast water management purposes; and discharged into the sea. It should also record when ballast water is discharged to a reception facility and accidental or other exceptional discharges of ballast water;
  • An International Ballast Water Management Certificate (ships of 400 gross tonnage and above).
    This is issued by or on behalf of the Administration (flag State) and certifies that the ship carries out ballast water management in accordance with the BWM Convention and specifies which standard the ship is complying with, as well as the date of expiry of the Certificate.

D-2 Regulation

Regulation D-2 of the IMO’s latest, revised G8 standard requires ships to comply with the following:

  • Each cubic meter (264 US gallons) of ballast water must contain less than 10 viable organisms which are bigger than or equal to 50 microns (about half the width of a human hair.)
  • The ballast water must contain less than 10 viable organisms that are smaller than 50 microns but bigger than or equal to 10 microns per millilitre (ml).
  • Maximum amounts are specified for the following microbes: Vibrio Cholerae – less than 1 colony forming unit (CFU) per 100 ml; E. Coli – less than 250 CFU per 100 ml; and Enterococci – less than 100 CFU per 100 ml.

Rest assured, if your ballast water has been treated to these specifications, it is pure enough to be discharged into almost any port around the globe. 

To help ship owners and operators become and remain compliant with the IMO treaty, Mr. Marine Ballast provides servicing and also upgrades for ballast water treatment systems made by leading manufacturers. The company offers comprehensive solutions for BWTS (Ballast Water Treatment Systems) and can assist with the installation, maintenance, and compliance of these systems.

Contact our team today for your next service. We are swift and accessible, due to our 24/7 local presence in over 350 global ports.

 

You can also find and submit your service request to Mr. Marine Ballast on:

ShipServ: TN-311092 – Mr. Marine Ballast

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