IN 1293 – IMO Ballast Water Management Convention: Update on entry into force

Members will recall that there were reports at the end of 2015 that the tonnage criteria for the BWM convention had been reached, and that the 12 month countdown to entry into force had started.

IMO has been rechecking the tonnage figures and has now confirmed that the tonnage threshold has not been met. The countdown to entry into force has therefore not yet begun. 

Nevertheless, it could take only one more government signing up to the Convention to trigger the countdown, so companies should be planning now how they will comply with the new requirements.

Under the Convention, deep water ballast exchange will be phased out, and vessels will be required to fit ballast water treatment equipment or manage their ballast water through other approved methods.