The processes for ratification and implementation of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) have been discussed during a national seminar held in Indonesia (5-6 October). Information on the convention, management options and the latest developments in BWM research and development were outlined during the seminar, which was facilitated jointly by the IMO's Marine Environment Division and the Directorate General of Sea Transportation (DGST) of the Ministry of Transportation of Indonesia. The seminar was held under the auspices of the IMO-Norwegian Development Cooperation Agency (Norad) project to support participating countries in south-east Asia to ratify and implement key IMO treaties. The seminar was conducted by IMO’s Jose Matheickal and was opened by Captain Sahattua Simatupang, Director for Marine Safety, DGST, who emphasised the importance of the Convention for the protection of Indonesia's marine and costal environment and the value of regional cooperation in this area.