The Little Blue Book On Ballast Water
The Little Blue Book On Ballast Water
The Little Blue Book On Ballast Water
Blue Book on
Ballast Water
Introduction
The Convention
The Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) was adopted by IMO
in 2004 and entered into force on the 8th September 2017. With a few
exceptions it will apply to all ships in international trade beginning in
2017 and fully implemented in 2024.
Ships < 400 GT must comply with D-2 at the latest on 8th of September 2024.
IOPP
- Ren
Existing ships D-1 Standard ewal D-2 Standard
Page 2 out of 12
Introduction & Certificates D-1 & D-2 Standard
Certificates & Documents
The Certificates
If vessel is > 400 GT you must have one of the following certificates onboard:
International Ballast Water After BWMC enters into force this is the key
Management Certificate certificate provided your flag state has
(IBWMC) ratified the Convention
The Documents
US requirements
Type approval Certificate for a treatment system is installed prior to this.
Treatment System Does not apply if you are using an “Other
method” or operate under an exception or
exemption
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Ballast Water Exchange Standard D-1
Existing vessels shall apply the D-1 Ballast Water Exchange standard (BWE)
until they must comply with the D-2 standard. The compliance standard is
recorded in the IBWMC.
Dilution method: At least three times the tank volume of replacement ballast
water is filled through the top of the ballast tank. The water is discharged in the
bottom in the same speed and maintaining a constant level in the tank
throughout the ballast exchange.
The BWMC states “A ship shall not be required IMPORTANT: Make an entry in
to deviate from its intended voyage, or delay the BWRB stating the reasons. If
the voyage, in order to comply” with BWE. relevant, inform Port State Control
The Shipmaster can decide not to do an (PSC) before arrival.
exchange due to:
BWE areas may change. Consult
PP Heavy weather conditions your Safety Management System
PP Ships safety or stability in danger (SMS) or contact company
PP Extraordinary operational impracticality responsible.
Page 4 out of 12
Introduction & Certificates D-1 & D-2 Standard
Ballast Water Performance Standard D-2
The ballast water treatment process for a typical in-line BWMS with a filter
and a treatment unit. Some systems avoid the filter unit, some treat a second
time on discharge and some include a neutralisation system for the discharge
water. A few BWMS are in-tank systems that treat during voyage.
BWMS
BWMS filter
filter treat-
BWMS treat- Ballast tanks
Ballast tanks - Discharge in
US Requirements
unit
unit -- back-
back- ment unit
ment unit - -including
includingaa
Uptake in Discharge in-
arrival port
Uptake in port flush
flush waterisis
water desinfection
departure - desinfection minimum hold-
minimum arrivwal port a
may involve
departure port discharged
dischargedto to by chemical,
by holding
ing time time 2nd treatment or
the
the departure
departure UVchemical,
light or UV during
port during voyage neutralisation
other means
The IMO has decided that the first five years after BWMC entry into force is an
“experience building phase” for the management of ballast water.
discharges are allowed if mixing with unmanaged ballast water and sediments
from other areas has occurred.
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Preparation for Port State Control
STAGE 1 STAGE 2
Initial inspection More detailed inspection
PSC officer will: PSC officer will:
• Inspect documentation •C larify whether detailed BWMP
(Certifications, BWMP and BWRB) operational procedures are followed
• Check that an officer has been (safety, sediments, record keeping
appointed for the BWM on board cross check)
• Check familiarity of the responsible • Check if BWM has been conducted
officer and crew with the BWMS according to the BWMP
• Visual inspect overall condition • Check of BWMS operational record,
of the ship, the equipment and including self-monitoring devices
arrangements detailed in the • Follow up on bypass and
certificate BWMP and BWRB emergency issues
PSC shall provide clear grounds for proceeding to next stage of inspection procedure
AT PORT
Necessary Documents:
IBWMC stating compliance with D-1
Approved Ballast Water Management Plan for D-1
Updated Ballast Water Record Book
Be familiar with:
Where are the sampling point(s) for ballast water
Existence of ballast water exchange areas
Optional: When is the installation planned (IOPP schedule)
Page 6 out of 12
Introduction & Certificates D-1 & D-2 Standard
Preparation for Port State Control
STAGE 3 STAGE 4
Indicative analysis Detailed analysis
• Limited sample taking is expected •F ull verification of compliance may
• Indicative analysis may involve involve large scale sampling typi-
the use of portable analytical cally requiring specialists onboard
instruments assisting the PSC officer
• Samples for compliance testing
are sent to laboratories onshore
and analysis are time consuming
AT PORT
Necessary Documents:
IBWMC stating compliance with D-2
Approved Ballast Water Management Plan for D-2
Updated Ballast Water Record Book
Be familiar with:
The system installed, its type and technical characteristics
System requirements, e.g. service intervals, consumables
BWMS’s capacity
US Requirements
Sampling procedure
Considerations regarding auxiliary power requirements from the BWMS
Self-monitoring:
Maintain and operate BWMS in accordance with maker’s instructions and-
design limitations
Check installed self-monitoring equipment. This will vary according to type
of BWMS, and may include, e.g.:
Deficiencies & Glossary
Page 7 out of 12
US Requirements
At the entry into force of the BWMC the US is not a signatory to the
Convention and has a separate national legislation on ballast water.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) regulations are coupled to the scheduled
drydocking date, but the discharge standards are similar to IMO
requirements.
The USCG regulation is in force on BWE and a when a ship’s compliance
is due a BWMS must be installed or an other accepted method applied.
Before
vessel’s • Perform BWE beyond 200 nm at more than 200 m depth or beyond
compliance 50 nm, if not possible
date
The USCG regulations also contain some additional requirements regarding a ship’s
operational procedures that go beyond the IMO’s requirements.
M
aintain a BWMP covering US requirement (need not be approved)
Submit a Reporting Form at least 24 hours before calling at an US port
P
lans for Management of Biofouling and Sediment must be available, e.g. in the
BWMP, and records of ballast, sediment and fouling management must be kept
Additional requirements are found in the Vessel General Permit (VGP) for periodical
sampling of the discharge:
Calibration of sensors
Sampling of biological indicators
Sampling of residual biocides
The records of the periodical sampling must be retained onboard for 3 years.
Page 8 out of 12
Introduction & Certificates D-1 & D-2 Standard
US Requirements
Documentation
Ballast Water Management Plan,
Current extension letter granted to the vessel,
Vessel certificates,
Contracts and/or records verifying the date the vessel entered its last
Other proper documentation that are all subject to evaluation during compli-
ance assessments include crew knowledge, system installation, maintenance,
and operation, and discharge quality.
Documentation and records related to VGP: Any vessel greater than 300 GT or
more than 8 m3 ballast tank must submit Notice Of Intent to EPA to discharge in
Deficiencies & Glossary
If the installed BWMS stops operating properly during a voyage, or the vessel’s
BWM method is unexpectedly unavailable, the vessel owner/operator must
report the problem to the nearest Captain of the Port as soon as practicable.
Vessel owners/operators are encouraged to include “contingency plans” in the BWMP.
Page 9 out of 12
Deficiencies
Detainable deficiencies
Non-exhaustive list of deficiencies that may warrant detention by the PSC:
Absence of an IBWMC, a BWMP or a Record Book;
indication of substantial lack of correspondence with IBWMC and BWMP;
the designated officers or crew are not familiar with essential BWM
procedures including operation of BWMS and associated equipment;
no BWM procedures have been implemented on board;
no designated officer has been nominated;
the ship has not complied with the BWMP for management and
treatment of ballast water or fails compliance by sampling; or
ballast water has been discharged other than in accordance with the
regulations of the BWMC
Acceptable reasons
The Master is ultimately responsible and decides what necessitates a by-pass or
uptake or discharge of BW not managed according to BWMP. Reasons include:
Measures to ensure the safety of the ship or life at sea
Damage to the ship or equipment
Avoiding or minimizing pollution from the ship
Uptake and discharge of ballast water in the same location
It is paramount to
Document discrepancies in the Record Book
Contact the company responsible
Inform PSC in arrival port
Page 10 out of 12
Introduction & Certificates D-1 & D-2 Standard
Glossary
Captain of the Port: The Coast Guard officer designated by the Comman-
dant to command a Captain of the Port Zone
Page 11 out of 12
The Little Blue Book on Ballast Water was initiated by Danish Shipping and
developed by LITEHAUZ through a donation from the Danish Maritime Fund.
Disclaimer
Nothing in this guideline exonerate any master, officer or shore-based person from following Company
procedures, e.g. SMS and Ballast Water Management Plan. In the event of special circumstances that
may raise doubt on which procedures there should be followed, the Company appointed responsible
person ashore should always be consulted prior to such an operation.
At the same time it should be emphasised that according to the ISM Code § 5.2, the master has the over-
riding authority and the responsibility to make decisions with respect to safety and pollution prevention.