The Ballast Water Management Convention will have an impact right across the shipping industry, affecting a wide variety of people, and presenting different challenges and pressures.
The IMO’s MEPC Committee have agreed amendments to the implementation schedule for the installation of ballast water treatment systems.
Read more in Class News 16/2017
The dedicated services you need
Because we understand the pressures you face, the operational challenges you have to overcome and the intricacies of the compliance standards you have to meet, our services are tailored to your needs.
Delays due to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the operations of shipyards and disrupted the supply chains for ballast water management system providers, which may have an impact on equipment installation schedules. For delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Owners should contact LR to make suitable arrangements with Flag Administrations.
- IMO Circular Letter No.4204/Add.7 gives guidance concerning new construction projects and the unforeseen delays in the delivery of ships due to COVID-19.
- For information on postponements of USCG ballast water management requirements due to COVID-19 see Marine Safety Information Bulletin No. MSIB-14-20.
BWMS Commissioning Testing
From 1 June 2022, amendments to the BWM Convention, regulation E-1, came into force, published in IMO Resolution MEPC.325(75). These amendments mandate the commissioning testing of BWMS during initial surveys for new construction projects and during BWMS installation surveys on existing ships (i.e. what the Convention calls additional surveys). The commissioning testing should be carried out in accordance with BWM.2/Circ.70/Rev.1, by either an LR approved service supplier or by an organisation acceptable to the flag Administration. Find an approved service supplier in the LR Approvals database. See also LR’s Guidance Notes for commissioning testing.
Ballast Water Management Plans
Having an approved ballast water management plan (BWMP) onboard is a requirement of the BWM Convention (reg. B-1). LR can assist with approval of ballast water management plans (BWMP). Model BWMPs can be found in the resources section below, which can be used by operators as a template to create their ship-specific plan.
Ballast Water Record Books
Having a ballast water record book (BWMP) onboard is a requirement of the BWM Convention (Reg. B-2). Model BWRBs, which meet the correct Convention format, can be found as appended to the Model BWMPs in the resources section below. Useful guidance on completion of BWRB entries can be found in BWM.2/Circ.80 - Guidance on ballast water record-keeping and reporting.
LR can provide approval services against Resolution MEPC.372(80) Guidelines for the use of electronic record books under the BWM Convention.
Contingency measures
The IMO have issued BWM.2/Circ.62, ‘Guidance on Contingency Measures under the BWM Convention’, which contains generic guidance for situations where ballast water to be discharged from a ship is non-compliant. Some port States may require the submission of a ballast water reporting form for ships bound for its ports, offshore terminals or anchorage areas. Useful guidance on completion of Ballast water reporting forms (BWRF) can be found in BWM.2/Circ.80 - Guidance on ballast water record-keeping and reporting. See also Class News 09/2018.
Get more information
Our brochure provides a clear outline of the Convention’s implications, and highlights how we can help you minimise its impact on the way you operate. If you are a shipowner or operator, a designer or builder, an equipment manufacturer, port owner or flag administration, this guide is for you.
