IMO guidance: Ballast Water in challenging conditions

The International Maritime Organization has issued resolution MEPC.387(81) addressing the operational challenges encountered by Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) in areas with challenging water quality conditions. It lays out detailed instructions for both manufacturers and ships to navigate these difficulties effectively.

For manufacturers, the guidance emphasizes the importance of incorporating specific instructions and procedures into the Operations, Maintenance, and Safety Manual (OMSM) of the BWMS. These instructions should assist ship crews and Administrations in developing and approving Ballast Water Management Plans (BWMPs) tailored to handle challenging water quality scenarios. Manufacturers are encouraged to provide technical support and easy-to-follow operating instructions to enable crews to promptly identify and address BWMS operational issues, especially during critical situations such as challenging water quality (CWQ) scenarios.

Ship crews are urged to collaborate with BWMS manufacturers to collect relevant information and data on BWMS operations in CWQ. This data can help improve the performance of BWMS and inform stakeholders such as Administrations, port States, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) about optimizing BWMS operation in challenging conditions.

The guidance also addresses the role of Administrations and Port State control officers in ensuring compliance with regulations. Administrations are tasked with ensuring that ships are adequately prepared to encounter CWQ, while Port State control officers should consult the BWMP and crew when assessing compliance for ships operating in challenging conditions.

Moreover, the document highlights the importance of cooperation among stakeholders, including BWMS manufacturers, ships, shipyards, Administrations, and Port States, to maximize the effectiveness of BWMS in managing CWQ in both the short and long term. It underscores the need for continuous improvement and collaboration to effectively manage challenging water quality conditions and ensure compliance with the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention.