The future of Ballast Water Management
Navigating the BWM convention
The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention administered by IMO sets the international standard for ballast water treatment.
On 28 October 2020, most of the world’s ports will close to new ballast water treatment systems installed on or after that date without meeting IMO BWMS CODE requirements. The BWMS Code (resolution MEPC.300(72)) entered into force in April 2019 and supersedes - the 2016 Guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8).
To ensure compliance and operability of your vessel you should choose a Ballast Water Management System having the IMO BWMS Code type approval.
Before 28. October 2020
Systems approved under the former G8 guidelines (MEPC.174(58)) not later than 28 October 2018 can still be installed ("installed" means the contractual/actual date of delivery of the Ballast Water Management System to the ship). No upgrades to these systems will be necessary.
28. October 2020 and after
If the installation of a ballast water treatment system falls on or after 28 October 2020, the system to be installed must be type approved according to the BWMS Code requirements.
Installation of a system without revised G8 or BWMS Code type approval will not be permitted for global use.
