BALLAST WATER

MANAGEMENT
K.V.V.UNNI

IMPORTANT IMO RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTION A.868(20),DATED 27/11/97

RESOLUTION A.774(18) WAS MADE BY IMO.THIS RESOLUTION WAS
BASED ON THE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF MEPC AND WHO
TO CONTROL DISCHARGE OF BALLAST WATER IN PORTS AND
ESTUARIES WHICH HAS BEEN CAUSING TRANSFER OF HARMFUL
MARINE ORGANISMS AND PATHOGENS CAUSING INJURY AND DAMAGE
TO BIO-DIVERSITY . EXISTING MEPC CIRC.288 WAS NOT PROVIDING
COMPREHENSIVE PLANS AND REGULATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL
IMPLIMENTATION HENCE THIS RESOLUTION WAS ISSUED ON THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF MEPC/CIRC.329 AND MSC/CIRC 805, DATED
30/6/97 .
THIS RESOLUTION GIVES A COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL OVER BALLAST
WATER MANAGEMENT, MANDATORY BY 2000, AND FORMS A NEW ANNEX
TO MARPOL 73/78.
IT CONTAINS 12 CHAPTERS AND 2 APPENDICES.

1 INTRODUCTION
MANY SPECIES O F BACTERIA,PLANTS& ANIMALS CAN

SURVIVE IN BALLAST & SEDIMENTS IN SHIPS FOR LONG

PERIODS.WHILE DE-BALLASTING,THEY CAN BECOME
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO INDIGINOUS MARINE LIFE.
THIS PHENOMENON HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY IMO AND WHO,
AND CONSIDER AS A FACTOR IN SPREADING OF EPIDEMIC
DESEASES.
IMO GUIDELINES ARE MEANT FOR MINIMIZING THE MENACE,
UNTIL OTHER SUITABLE MODES ARE ARRIVED AT. IN THE
MEANTIME, PORT &FLAG STATES ARE TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM
ASSISTANCE TOWARDS BETTER CONTROL.
SELECTION OF METHODOLOGY DEPENS ON : TYPES OF
ORGANISMS BEING TARGETTED, LEVEL OF RISK,
ENVIRONMENTAL ACCEPTABILITY, ECONOMIC & ECOLOGICAL
COST, SAFETY OF SHIPS.

2.DEFENITIONS
ADMINISTRATION : GOVERNMENT OF STATE UNDER WHICH

THE V/L OPERATES.

CONVENTION : MARPOL 73/78
MEMBER STATES : STATES THAT ARE MEMBERS OF IMO
ORGANIZATION : IMO
PORT STATE AUTHORITY : GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR
ORGANIZATION FOR ENFORCING
NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING CONTROL
MEASURES.
TREATMENT : A PROCESS,OR MECHANICAL,CHEMICAL OR
BIOLOGICAL METHODS TO KILL/REMOVE OR INFERTILIZE
HARMFUL OR POTENTIALLY HARMFUL ORGANISMS
WITHIN BALLAST WATER.

3.APPLICATIONS
THE GUIDELINES ARE DIRECTED TO
MEMBER STATES AND CAN APPLY TO
ALL SHIPS. HOWEVER THE PORT
STATE AUTHORITY SHALL DECIDE
THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY DO
APPLY

4.GUIDELINE OBJECTIVES&BACKGROUND
ALLOWS PORT STATES TO EXEMPT SHIPS WITHIN

THE AREA UNDER THEM IN FULL OR PART OF

REGULATIONS. ANY GOVERNMENT WISHING TO DO
LEGISLATION ON THIS SUBJECT TO FOLLOW THE
IMO GUIDELINES.
GUIDELINES ARE TO HELP MEMBER STATES TO
CARRY OUT UNIFORM AND STANDARD MANNER.
TO ASSIST ALL CONCERNED PARTIES FOR
MINIMIZING RISK OF INTRODUCING HARMFUL
ORGANISMS AND PATHOGENS FROM BALLAST
WATER & SEDIMENTS, WHILE PROTECTING SHIPS
SAFETY.

5.DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION

ADMINISTRATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAINTAIN AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION

THROUGH IMO, SUCH AS PROVIDING INFORMATION ON OUTBREAKS OR
INFESTATIONS OF HARMFUL AQUATIC ORGANISMS, COPIES OF EXISTING LEGISLATION,
LOCATION OF POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE EXCHANGE AREAS,CONTINGENCY STRATEGIES,
AVAILABILITY&COST OF RECEPTION FACILITIES ETC.
MEMBER STATES WHO ARE IMPLIMENTING CONTROLS SHOULD NOTIFY IMO FOR
INFORMATION TO OTHER MEMBER STATES OR NGOS COPIES OF INFORMATION ON
REGULATIONS.STANDARDS,EXEMPTIONS/GUIDELINES ETC. ALL SUCH
DOCUMENTATION SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO SHIPS WELL IN ADVANCE TO ARRIVAL
PORT.
ANY FAILURE IN COMPLYING WITH THE ABOVE WILL CAUSE DELAY/FINANCIAL
IMPLICATIONS TO ARRIVAL OF VESSELS .
SHIP OPERATORS/MANAGERS SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH SUCH PROCEDURES
INCLUDING INFORMATION REQUIRED THAT WILL BE NEEDED TO OBTAIN ENTRY
CLEARANCE.
ALL MEMBER STES TO PROVIDE IMO WITH INFORMATION ON R&D REGARDING
IMPACT&CONTROL OF HARMFUL ORGANISMS AND PATHOGENS.
MEMBER STATES TO INFORM IMO DETAILS OF RECORDS FOR WAIVER OF
REGULATIONS :e.g.FORCE MAJURE, HEAVY WEATHER, LACK/FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT,
LACK OF INFORMATION CONCERNING PORT STATE REQUIREMENTS.

6.TRAINING AND
EDUCATION
TRAINNING FOR SHIP MASTERS AND STAFF

REGARDING BALLAST CONTROL PROCEDURES

BASED UPON GUIDELINES. MAINTENANCE OF
LOG BOOKS AND RECORDS. MARINE TRAINING
TO INCLUDE BALLAST MANAGEMENT AS PART OF
SYLLABUS.
APPLICATION OF PROCESS/PROCEDURES ARE
AIMED AT KILL/REMOVE HARMFUL
ORGANISMS/PATHOGENS.
SUCH TRAINING TO BE MADE AS PART OF CREW
CERTIFICATION.

7.PROCEDURES FOR V/LS AND PORT STATES

PROCEDURES FOR SHIPS:
EVERY SHIP THAT CARRIES BALLAST WATER SHOULD BE

PROVIDED WITH BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN INTENDED

FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE MEANS OF BALLAST WATER
MANAGEMENT.
THIS PLAN SHOULD BE SPECIFIC FOR EACH VESSEL.
SUCH PLAN WILL BE PART OF VESSELS OPERATIONAL
DOCUMENTATION. IT SHOULD ADDRESS:RELEVANT PART OF
GUIDELINES, APPROVAL OF PLAN, INDICATION OF SUPPORTING
RECORDS, LOCATION OF SAMPLING POINTS
PROCEDURES FOR PORT STATES ,:
RECEPTION&TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR SAFE DISPOSAL,
DISCHARGING BALLAST WATER AND SEDIMENTS TO A SAFE
RECEPTION FACILITY IS IDEAL SOLUTION. PORT STATES ARE
ENCOURAGED TO ENSURE SUCH FACILITIES ARE ADEQUATE.

8.RECORDING & REPORTING

PROCEDURES

PROCEDURE FOR SHIPS.

IN CASE OF FAILURE TO ADHERE TO PROCEDURE DUE TO ANY REASON, THE

MASTER TO INFORM PORT STATE AUTHORITY EARLIEST PRIOR TO ENTERING SEAS
UNDER ITS JURISDICTION.
ONE OFFICER TO BE ENTRUSTED WITH RECORDING/LOGGING CONNECTED
ACTIVITIES.
WHILE BALLASTING/DEBALLASTING THE DATE/LOCATION/CONNECTED TANKS OR
HOLDS/SALINITY/TEMPERATURE/QUANTITY TO BE RECORDED IN A FORMAT.THIS
RECORD SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO AUTHORITY WHEN CALLED FOR.
SAMPLING POINTS TO BE SHOWN IN B/W/M PLAN

PROCEDURES FOR PORT STATES

PORT STATES SHOULD PROVIDE INFORMATION TO V/LS, SUCH AS DETAILS OF

REQUIREMENTS/LOCATION&USE OF EXCHANGE ZONES/CONTINGENCY
ARRANGEMENTS/DETAILS OF RECEPTION FACILITIES
THEY SHOULD INFORM OWNERS/AGENTS/MANAGERS/SHIPS REGARDING ANY
HAZARDOUS ZONE FROM WHERE BALLAST WATER INTAKE SHOULD BE MINIMISES
OR NOT DONE, AREAS SUCH AS HAVING AREAS WITH PHYTOPLANKTON BLOOMS,
SEWAGE OUTLETS,DREDGING AREAS,HEAVY TIDES,AREAS WITH TOO LOW TIDAL
FLUSHING

9.SHIPS OPERATIONAL
PROCEDURES
PRECAUTIONARY PRACTICES : BALLAST INTAKE TO BE
MINIMISED OR AVOIDED IN VIEW OF INCLUSION OF
HARMFUL ORGANISMS/PATHOGENS IN AREAS NOTIFIED
BY ADMINISTRATION, SHALLOW WATERS, DURING
DARKNESS(ORGANISMS TEND TO COME TO SURFACE),
WHERE PROPELLOR CHURNS UP SEDIMENT.
REMOVAL OF BALLAST SEDIMENT IN A TIMELY BASIS
FLUSHING OUT IN MID-OCEAN,CLEAN-UP WHEN
ALONGSIDE OR DRYDOCK WITH SUCH FACILITY.
AVOIDING UNNECESSARY DISCHARGE/INTAKE.
DILIGENT RECORDING OF ACTIVITIES.

9.A.BALLAST WATER
EXCHANGE

NEAR-COASTAL ORGANISMS CANNOT SURVIVE IN MID-OCEAN, AND VICE -VERSA.WHEN

EXCHANGING BALLAST WATERSAFETY ASPECTS AS PER APPENDIX=2 APPLIES.WHERE
PRACTICAL, EXCHANGE SHOULD BE DONE AS FAR AWAY FROM SHORE AS POSSIBLE. WHERE
THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE(ESP.WITHIN 200NM) CONDITIONS APPLY.DE-BALLASTING TO BE DONE
UNTIL P/P LOSES SUCTION, THENCE STRIPPER/EDUCTOR TO BE USED FOR COMPLETION.
WHEN FLOW-THROUGH METHOD IS USED AT LEAST 3 FLUSHINGS TO BE DONE.
WHERE BALLAST EXCHANGE NOT POSSIBLE, ACTIVITY CONFIRMING TO PORT STATE
GUIDELINES APPLY.
WHERE NO FACILITIES EXIST, WATER TO BE RETAINED IN TANKS OR ABSOLUTELY MINIMAL
DISCHARGE DONE.
WHERE FACILITY IS AVAILABLE. IY SHOULD BE USED.
EMERGENT NEW TECHNOLOGIES INVOLVING FILTRATION,DISINFECTION BY U-V
TREATMENT,AND OTHER SUCH MODES TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXCHANGE
WHEREVER AVAILABLE/FITTED.
RESULTS OF USAGE OF NEW METHODS TO BE FED BACK TO IMO FOR EVALUATION AND
IMPLIMENTATION.

APPENDIX-2 OUTLINES SAFETY ASPECTS OF BALLAST EXCHANGE

AT SEA IN DETAIL.

10.PORT STATE CONSIDERATIONS

HIGHLY DISPERATE CONDITION BETWEEN
INTAKE/DISCHARGE OF BALLAST WATER
BALLAST WATER AGE MINIMUM 100
DAYS ACCEPTED FOR DEATH/DECAY
PRESENCE OF TARGET ORGANISMS
PORT STATES TO UNDERTAKE SURVEYS TO
DETERMINE TYPES OF ORGANISMS
PRESENT

11.ENFORCEMENT/MONITORING BY
PORT STATE AUTHORITIES

PORT STATES TO INFORM IMO ABOUT IMPLEMENTATON.

MEMBER STATES CAN HAVE OWN LEGISLATION,SUBJECT TO NOTIFICATION TO IMO
PORT STATES MUST ENSURE SAFETY OF SHIP & MEN WHILE ENFORCING
BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE,SAFE,COSTPROOF,VIABLE,PRACTICAL AND LEAST DELAYS TO /L OPERATION AND BASED ON IMO
GUIDELINES.
INSTRUCTIONS TO V/L TO BE CLEAR AND CONCISE.
VISITING SHIPS TO BE GIVEN ALL CONCERNED INFORMATION
ALL INSPECTIOS/MONITORING/ENFORCEMENT TO BE FAIR AND CONSISTENT WITH
GUIDELINES.DEVIATIONS TO BE REPORTED TO IMO.
COMPLIANCE MONITORING TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY PORT STES. E.g.ANALYSING SAMPLES FOR
HARMFUL ORGANISMS LEFTOVER etc.THIS DOESNOT MEAN DELAYING V/L. SHIP TO BE GIVEN
SUFFICIENT NOTICE FOR SUCH INSPECTION
MASTER HAS AN OBLIGATION FOR GIVING MAXIMUM CO-OPERATION FOR ABOVE ACTIVITIES.
SAMPLING FOR MONITORING/RESEARCH IS PURELY PORT STATE ACTIVITY. HOWEVER,IMO
WELCOMES ANY FINDINGS RELAYED BACK.
INTENTION FOR TAKING SAMPLE SHOULD BE MADE CLEAR TO MASTER AND RESULTS SHOULD
BE INFORMED TO HIM
PORT STATE HAS RIGHT TO EXAMINE SAMPLE BEFORE PERMITTING ENTRY TO ITS WATERS. IN
CASE OF SERIOUS NON CONFORMITY,CONTINGENCY PLAN TO BE CALLED INTO ACTION.

12.FUTURE
CONSIDERATIONS
RESEARCH NEEDS
LONG TERM EVALUTION OF SAFETY ASPECTS

13.BALLAST SYSTEM DESIGNS.

BUILDERS,OWNERS AND CLASSIFICATION
SOCIETIES TO TAKE THESE GUIDELINES FOR NEW
CONSTRUCTION

AFTER THOUGHTS
Requirements for Biological Effectiveness and Environmental Concerns
THE ONLY CURRENT METRIC REGARDING BIOLOGICAL EFFICACY IS BALLAST WATER EXCHANGE. THE COMMONLY
HELD VIEW IS THAT ANY NEW SYSTEM SHOULD BE AT LEAST AS EFFECTIVE AS BALLAST WATER EXCHANGE.
EXCHANGE INVOLVES THE REPLACEMENT OF NEAR SHORE OR COASTAL WATER WITH OPEN-OCEAN WATER DURING
A VOYAGE. THIS REDUCES THE DENSITY IN BALLAST TANKS OF COASTAL ORGANISMS THAT MAY BE ABLE TO
ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN A RECIPIENT PORT, AND REPLACES THEM WITH DEEP OCEAN ORGANISMS THAT HAVE A
LOWER PROBABILITY OF SURVIVAL IN THE NEAR SHORE ECOSYSTEMS.
HOWEVER, THE EXCHANGE IS NEVER 100% COMPLETE. THERE WILL INVARIABLY BE SOME RESIDUAL DENSITY
OF COASTAL ORGANISMS SURVIVING WHEN THE BALLAST WATER IS DISCHARGED. THE CURRENT BEST ESTIMATE
OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXCHANGE (WHEN IT CAN ACTUALLY BE IMPLEMENTED) IS THAT THERE IS A 95%
VOLUMETRIC EXCHANGE OF BALLAST WATER. FOR SOME SHIPS THE VOLUMETRIC EXCHANGE CAN BE
CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN 95% COMPLETE, BECAUSE OF INCOMPLETE MIXING DUE TO THE GEOMETRY AND
STRUCTURE WITH THE BALLAST TANK AND THE LOCATIONS OF THE INLET PIPING AND DISCHARGE OPENING. THIS
DOES NOT NECESSARILY EQUATE TO 95% REDUCTION OF THE TARGET ORGANISMS WITHIN THE BALLAST TANKS,
HOWEVER. WHEN CONSIDERING MORE RIGOROUS METRICS FOR EFFICACY, THE GLOBALLAST ATTENDEES [4]
ACTUALLY STATE IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO USE EQUIVALENCY WITH VOLUMETRIC EXCHANGE AS A
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTIVENESS STANDARD.
IT IS ALSO GENERALLY AGREED THAT 100% BIOLOGICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF BALLAST WATER TREATMENT IS NOT
ACHIEVABLE FOR ALL AQUATIC ORGANISMS AND PATHOGENS WITH THE BEST CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY.
SO, THE QUESTION OF AN APPROPRIATE DESIGN TARGET EFFICACY CANNOT YET BE CLEARLY ELUCIDATED AND IS
THE SUBJECT RESEARCH AND DEBATE.

APPENDIX II

BALLAST WATER
REPORTING FORM
IS THIS AN AMENDED BALLAST REPORTING FORM

YES

NO

1. VESSEL
INFORMATION

2. VOYAGE
INFORMATION

3. BALLAST WATER USAGE AND

CAPACITY

Vessel Name: Spar Virgo

IMO Number:9299276

Arrival Port: Vera Cruz

Arrival Date:
10.05.06
Agent: Linea Maritima Mexicana SA de CV
Last Port: HOUSTON
Country of Last Port: USA

Specidy Units Below (m3, MT, LT, ST)

Ow ner: Spar Shipping A.S

Type:Bulk carrier
GRT:32474 MT
Call Sign:LAZR 5
Flag:NIS

Next Port: Cristobal

Country of Next Port: Panama

4. BALLAST WATER
MANAGEMENT

Total No. of Ballast Water Tanks to be

discharged

Of tanks to be discharged, how

many:
Please specify alternative method(s) used, if any:

Underw ent
Exchange:
N/A

If no ballast treatment conducted, state reason w hy not:

Ballast Management Plan on Board?
YES
IMO Ballast Water Guidelines on board (res. A.868(20)?

5. BALLAST WATER HISTORY

TANKS / HOLDS

List multiple source/

DATE

tanks seperately

DD/MM/YY

BW SOURCES
PORT or
LAT/LONG

N/A

N/A
NO
YES

NIL

Underw ent Alternative Management

Management Plan Implemented?

NO

Record all tanks to be deballasted in Port State of Arrival:

VOLUME

TEMP

m3

6. RESPONSIBLE OFFICER'S NAME AND TITLE - PRINTED

AND SIGNATURE:

BW MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
DATE
END POINT
VOLUME
DD/MM/Y

LAT/LONG

Total Ballast Water on

Board:
Volume
Units
No. of tanks in ballast
9852.2
m3
22
Total Ballast Water Capacity
Volume
Units Total no. of tanks on Ship
m3
31475

m3

YES

N/A

NO

IF NONE, GO TO #6 (Use additional sheets as required)

METHOD

SEA HT

Exch

ER/FT/ALT

MTR

BW DISCHARGES
DATE
PORT or
DD/MM/Y
LAT.LONG

SATENDER KUMAR ( CHIEF OFFICER )

VOLUME SALINIT
Y
m3
UNITS