Ballast Water Management Convention , 2004
Why there is a need to manage the ballast water?
While ballast water is essential for safe and efficient modern shipping operations, it
may pose serious ecological, economic and health problems due to the multitude of
marine species carried in ships’ ballast water. The transferred species may survive
to establish a reproductive population in the host environment, becoming invasive,
out-competing native species and multiplying into pest proportions. The effects in
many areas of the world have been devastating
Entry into force of the Convention
The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast
Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) was adopted on 13 February 2004. The
BWM Convention entered into force on 8 th September 2017, but with the
following modifications:
The IMO MEPC approved a resolution containing a revised implementation scheme
for ships to comply with the D-2 biological standard under the BW Management
Convention. Under the approved scheme, ships constructed on or after September
8, 2017 are to comply with the D-2 standard on or after September 8, 2017 (The D1
standard is for ballast water exchange, and specifies the volume of water to be
replaced whereas, the D2 standard covers approved ballast water treatment
systems, and specifies levels of viable organisms left in water after treatment). Ships
constructed before September 8, 2017, are to comply with the D-2 standard at the
first MARPOL IOPP renewal survey completed on or after September 8, 2019; AND
for ships constructed before September 8, 2017 and which are not subject to the
MARPOL IOPP renewal survey, compliance with the D-2 standard is required not
later than September 8, 2024.
INDIA and the BWM Convention
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Indian Prime Minister has given its approval for
the accession to the International Convention for the Control and Management
of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (Ballast Water Management
Convention). The Merchant Shipping Amendment Bill, 2015 incorporates into the
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 the enabling provisions required for implementing the
BWM Convention.
Different types of Ballast water exchange
Before entering into the waters of any coastal state, ballast water exchange has to
be done in mid-ocean or at least 200 nautical miles from shore and at a location
where the water depth is at least 200 meters or more. There are three different
methods of ballast water exchange:
1. Sequential: The sequential method entails completely emptying ballast
tanks of the coastal waters and refilling with open-ocean water. Emptying of
certain tanks may lead to significantly reduced stability, higher vessel
structural stresses, high sloshing pressures and/or reduced forward drafts
which may then increase the probability of bow slamming. Margins are to be
provided for stability and strength for all seagoing conditions, as specified in
the vessel’s approved trim and stability booklet and the loading manual.
2. Flow through method: The flow-through method involves pumping
replacement ballast water into the bottom of a full ballast tank, forcing existing
ballast water out through an overflow or other arrangement. Ballast water
equal to approximately three times the tank capacity must be pumped through
the tank to achieve 95% effectiveness in eliminating aquatic organisms. The
flow-through method does not typically alter stability, hull girder stress and
vessel attitude.
3. Dilution Method: In the dilution method, replacement ballast water is filled
through the top of the ballast tank and simultaneously discharged from the
bottom at the same flow rate while maintaining a constant level in the tank
throughout the ballast exchange operation. As with the flow-through method,
ballast equal to approximately three times the tank capacity must be pumped
through the tank to achieve 95% effectiveness in eliminating aquatic
organisms. The dilution method has the advantages of the flow-through
method with regard to maintaining the stability and strength and other similar
benefits. By discharging water from the bottom of the ballast tanks, sediments
are more easily removed. This method avoids the use of air vent pipes and
the removal of manhole covers to discharge water over the deck.
All methods require the Ballast Water Reporting Form to be completed and
transmitted to the next port where ballast water is discharged.
Sample Ballast Water Management Plan
The outline of a ballast water management plan for guidance is given below:
1. Introduction: It should contain the information about the relevant
conventions.
2. Ship Particulars: Particulars like length, beam, IMO number, ship’s name,
flag, registry, gross tonnage, draft, total ballast capacity, and the international
call sign.
3. Purpose: It should explain the need of ballast water management and
importance of correct record keeping.
4. Plans & drawings of the ballast system: It should consist of ballast tanks
arrangement, ballast capacity plan, ballast water piping and pumping
arrangement, ballast pump capacities, installed ballast treatment systems etc.
5. Description of the ballast system: Description of the ballasting and de-
ballasting system used on board.
6. Ballast water sampling points: It should have the list and the location of the
sampling points.
7. Safety restrictions: It should tell about the dangers of enclosed space
entries, danger of blocked air vents and other safety instructions.
8. Description of the methods used on board: It should explain in detail the
method of ballast water exchange and treatments (in emergency) used in
board.
9. Methods of communication: It should contain guide lines to communicate
with coastal authorities like AQIS in Australia.
10. Duties of ballast water management officer: It must explain the duties and
responsibilities of the ballast water management officer.
11. Recording requirements: It will explain what all is to be recorded in the log
book.
12. Crew training and familiarization: As this is a new requirement, the crews
have to be familiarized about the same by conducting meetings and video
screening.
Record keeping in ballast water management plan
Records of the ballast water exchange are to be entered in the ballast water record
book by the responsible officer. The records should contain at the minimum the
following information:
1. Date;
2. Geographical location of the ship;
3. Ship’s tank or Cargo holds used;
4. Ballast water temperature;
5. Salinity of ballast water;
6. Amount of Ballast water loaded or discharged; and
7. The location and suitable access points for taking ballast water samples by
Port Authorities should be identified in the ballast water management plan.
The sampling points should be marked clearly for identification.
