Marine Biosecurity Toolkit: Guidance on the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship's Ballast Water and Sediments

Abstract

The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (Ballast Water Management Convention or BWM Convention) is an international maritime treaty that requires international vessels that fly flags of signatory countries, and carry ballast water, to conform to certain standards approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The BWM Convention entered into force on 8 September 20171. By 8 September 2024 all vessels must comply with the D2 discharge standard, which means that they will have to have a system for treating ballast prior to discharge. The introduction of this requirement is phased and depends upon when the vessel last underwent a renewal survey. By September 2020, 79 countries had signed the convention.