IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention is ready for implementation – that is the message delivered by IMO’s Markus Helavuori at the 13th Ballast Water Management Summit in Rotterdam, the Netherlands (21 October). In a keynote speech addressing shipowners, operators and other stakeholders, an update on the convention was provided, including the points that the main obstacles for ratification have been removed and that early entry into force would have several benefits for all stakeholders – minimizing the risk of invasions by alien species and providing a level playing field from a regulatory perspective.
The BWM Convention will enter into force 12 months after ratification by 30 States, representing 35% of world merchant shipping tonnage. To date, 44 States with an aggregate of 32.89% of the world’s merchant fleet tonnage have ratified it.