Panama accedes to global treaty to halt invasive aquatic species

Panama is latest State to accede to BWM Convention, bringing shipping tonnage covered by the treaty to 53.28%, with 53 Contracting Parties.

Panama has become the latest State to accede to the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention), bringing the proportion of global shipping tonnage covered by the treaty to 53.28%, with 53 Contracting Parties.

The BWM Convention will enter into force on 8 September 2017 and will require ships to manage their ballast water which will help prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species, which can cause havoc for local ecosystems, affect biodiversity and lead to substantial economic loss.

Mr. Jorge Barakat Pitty, Minister of Maritime Affairs of Panama, presented the country's instrument of accession to the Ballast Water Management Convention to IMO Secretary General Lim on Wednesday (19 October 2016). Panama is the largest flag State globally in terms of tonnage, with 18.02% of world merchant shipping tonnage. (Photos here)

Mr. Lim welcomed the latest accession and urged countries which have not yet ratified the treaty to do so as soon as possible. Last month, accession by Finland ensured that criteria had been met for entry into force of the treaty.

"I am heartened by the fact we now have more than half of the world merchant shipping tonnage signed up to this treaty, which will not only minimize the risk of invasions by alien species via ballast water, it will also provide a global level playing field for international shipping, setting clear and robust standards for the management of ballast water on ships", Mr. Lim said.

"I now encourage other States which have not yet ratified the treaty to do so as soon as possible, in order to ensure that the greatest percentage of the world fleet as possible will be subject to the treaty's terms upon its entry into force in September 2017", Mr. Lim said.

Mr. Barakat Pitty congratulated IMO on achieving entry-into-force criteria for the BWM Convention. "This instrument will be of vital importance in continuing to demonstrate the commitment of the maritime sector to preserving the environment", he said.

The BWM Convention was adopted in 2004 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for developing global standards for ship safety and security and for the protection of the marine environment and the atmosphere from any harmful impacts of shipping.

The spread of invasive species has been recognized as one of the greatest threats to the ecological and the economic well-being of the planet. Numerous species have caused enormous damage to biodiversity and can also cause direct and indirect health effects. The damage to the environment is often irreversible. The BWM treaty aims to stop the further spread of invasive species.

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