In 2004 the Member Nations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF SHIPS' BALLAST WATER AND SEDIMENTS, 2004. Please click here to view the text of the Convention.

Reference to the requirements for management of ballast tank sediments are made in several locations throughout the text of the Convention. Please click here for a summary of the sediment management requirements.

Regulation B-3 of the Convention describes the schedule for the implementation of the ballast water Convention. Please click here to view the text of Regulation B-3.

Please click here to view a graphical illustration of the schedule for the implementation of the Convention.

Regulation D-2 of the Convention describes the discharge (or treatment) standards for ballast water. Please click here to view the text of Regulation D-2.

On the same page of the Convention, Regulation D-3 describes the procedure for approval of Ballast Water Management systems used to comply with the Convention. Please click here to view the explanation of these procedures from the 2008 Lloyd's Register Ballast Water Treatment Technology handbook.

Specifically, Regulation D-3 of the Convention refers to Guidelines developed by the Organization [The IMO]. The guidelines are:

REVISED GUIDELINES FOR APPROVAL OF BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (G8)

For ballast water management systems that make use of active substances, there is an additional Guideline:

REVISED PROCEDURE FOR APPROVAL OF BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS THAT MAKE USE OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCES (G9)

Please note, Section 1.4 of the G9 Guidelines states:

1.4 This procedure is not intended for the evaluation of the efficacy of Active Substances. The efficacy of ballast water management systems that make use of Active Substances should be evaluated in accordance with the Guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8).

If there are any question regarding the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention, please feel free to contact NEI or the appropriate sales representative.