Implications for ports as IMO adopts ballast water convention

摘要

The IMO's ballast water convention was adopted last February and, although it will not enter into force until 12 months after ratification by 30 states representing 35% of the world's merchant tonnage, it does have significant implications for ports. Article 5, for example, will call on signatories to ensure that ports in which cleaning or repairing of ballast tanks is carried out have their own ballast water and sediment reception facilities. Meanwhile an inspection regime - likely to become another responsibility for port state control - will survey and certify vessels by checking their ballast water records and/or taking samples. These will be analysed and if there are concerns, more detailed inspections will take place. Ultimately ships may have to be detained, although only as a last resort, with further implications for port managers. All of this lies some way in the future - IMO's regulatory wheels turn slowly and, as of the end of August this year, the convention had no signatories. However, this is an issue for ports to watch closely -some maritime nations are unilaterally adopting tough measures to prevent the spread of harmful organisms, a threat which many believe is still largely underestimated by many in shipping.