Background
The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (the BWM Convention) is intended to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms, and damage to the marine environment, from ballast water discharge by minimising the uptake and discharge of sediments and organisms.
A key element of the BWM Convention is the recording of ballast water discharge operations from ships through the maintenance of a ballast water record book (BWRB).
New requirements for the reporting of ballast water discharge come into force this year, following resolutions made at the 80th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee in July 2023. These changes, summarised in IMCA Information Note 1669, include a new form for reporting ballast water discharges from 1 February 2025 and, from 1 October 2025, a requirement for flag state administrations to approve the use of electronic BWRBs.
Resolution MEPC.372(80) – Guidelines for the use of Electronic Record Books under the BWM Convention
With flag state administrations being encouraged to approve electronic recording systems, these guidelines aim to provide standardised information on approving an electronic record books to ensure the obligations of the BWM Convention are met and that there is a consistent approach to approving such systems.
As the BWM Convention continues to evolve, it is essential that all approved electronic record books are reviewed and appropriately updated to ensure relevant BWM Convention amendments are incorporated. Any updates should not cause loss of existing records, nor make them unreadable, and the system should continue to present all records in the form specified by the BWM Convention. Updates to the system should be completed prior to the entry into force of the relevant BWM Convention amendments.
Flag state administrations should provide written approval of electronic record books that meet the criteria, with this approval carried onboard the vessel for the purpose of regulatory surveys or inspections.
Resolution MEPC.369(80) – New form of ballast water record book applicable from 1 February 2025
At its 80th session the MEPC adopted amendments to Appendix II of the BWM Convention regarding the form of BWRBs. From 1 February 2025, BWRBs must record additional information that provide greater detail on standard operations, new sections for when failures occur to a ballast water management system, and to accurately record ballast tank cleaning and the removal of sediments.
New requirements for the use of electronic ballast water record books applicable from 1 October 2025
Amendments to regulations A-1 and B-2 of the BWM Convention will take effect on 1 October 2025. According to the resolution, where a ship chooses to use a BWRB in an electronic format, the convention mandates that flag state administrations should approve that electronic record book.
As companies and shipowners increasingly focus on ways to operate in an environmentally responsible manner and aim to reduce the heavy burden associated with paperwork through electronic means, this approach to recording and reporting is encouraged as it may have benefits for the retention of records by companies, crew, and officers.
Further information
Please contact Margaret Fitzgerald, Head of Legal and Regulatory Affairs.
