Ballast Water

Ballast water management is governed by the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM), adopted in 2004 and in force from 8 September 2017, not by MARPOL. The Convention controls the transfer of invasive aquatic species through ballast water and sediments. Ships meet the D-1 exchange standard or the D-2 discharge standard, with all ships required to comply with D-2 since 8 September 2024 under the staggered schedule tied to the IOPP renewal survey. Type-approved ballast water management systems are certified under the G8 guidelines, now the mandatory BWMS Code adopted by MEPC.300(72).