In 2004, the IMO adopted the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water

and Sediments (a.k.a. BWM Convention), which will enter into force 12 months after ratification by 30 states representing 35% of the world merchant shipping tonnage. OVERVIEW OF BWM CONVENTION REQUIREMENTS The BWM Convention is the diminutive term commonly used when referring to the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments , adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in February 2004. The Convention is composed of 22 Articles, and one Annex with 5 sections (A to E). Since its adoption, 14 Technical Guidelines have been developed to support port state authorities, shipmasters and owners, equipment manufacturers and class societies, and to encourage the harmonized implementation of the different Requirements. We propose below a summary of the main rules and requirements contained in these documents. MAIN ARTICLES OF THE BWM CONVENTION Article 2 General Obligations: Parties accept to undertake comprehensive actions in order to prevent, reduce and if possible eliminate the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through the control and management of ships ballast water and sediments. They are given the right to take, individually or in cooperation with other Parties, more stringent measures in order to control alien species discharge (see also: Annex - Section C Additional measures). Article 5 Sediment Reception Facilities: Parties ensure that ports and terminals provide infrastructures to retain and dispose of sediments removed from ballast tanks during cleaning, repair, or demolition of a vessel. Article 6 Scientific and Technical Research and Monitoring: Parties should promote and facilitate scientific and technical research on ballast water management, as well as monitor the effects of ballast water management in waters under their jurisdiction. Article 9 Inspection of Ships Ships may be inspected by Port State Control officers who can: - verify the possession of a valid certificate and an approved Ballast Water Management Plan, - inspect the Ballast Water Record Book, and/or - sample the ballast water in order to ensure that the ship will not discharge Ballast Water presenting a threat of harm to the environment, human health, property or resources. Article 12 Undue Delay to Ships: Inspections and administrative responsibilities shall be structured in order to allow a quick and efficient process, balancing between the assigned duties and the timely nature of merchant shipping, to avoid undue delays to ships. Article 18 Entry into force: The Convention will enter into force 12 months after ratification by 30 States, representing 35 per cent of world merchant shipping tonnage.

ANNEX OF THE CONVENTION Annex Section B Management and Control Requirements for Ships: Ships must: implement and have on board a Ballast Water Management Plan approved by the Administration (Regulation B-1)

maintain a Ballast Water Log Book (Regulation B-2) to record ballast water movements (uptake, treatment, exchange, circulation, discharge) Under the BWM Convention, the ships should adopt measures for ballast water management, as stated in Regulation B-3 Ballast Water Management for Ships

The specific requirements for ballast water exchange are contained in Regulation B-4 Ballast Water Exchange. Annex Section D "Standards for Ballast Water Management" Regulation D-1 Ballast Water Exchange Standard requires an efficiency of 95 per cent volumetric exchange of Ballast Water with marine water (at least 200 nautical miles from the nearest land and in water at least 200 metres in depth). Regulation D-2 Ballast Water Performance Standard concerns water quality for discharge, related to specified maximum concentrations of micro-organisms. IMO D-2 Standard For Discharge Ballast Water Microorganism category Regulation Plankton, size > 50 m < 10 viable cells / m3 Plankton, size 10-50 m < 10 viable cells / mL Toxicogenic Vibrio Cholerae < 10 Colony Forming Unit / 100 mL Escherichia Coli < 250 Colony Forming Unit / 100 mL Intestinal Enterococci < 100 Colony Forming Unit / 100 mL Under Regulation D-3, Ballast Water Management Systems must be approved by the Administration in accordance with IMO Guidelines (see below: G8 and G9). Annex - Section E Survey and Certification Requirements for Ballast Water Management This section gives requirements for initial certification and renewal surveys, including examples of Ballast Water Management Certificate and Form of Ballast Water Record Book.