L15 - Ballast Water Manangement

Question 1

What are the conventions that deal with IAS?

Answer 1

• The Ballast Water Management Convention addresses the transfer of IAS in ballast water and sediments.
• The Biofouling Guidelines (not mandatory) address the transfer of IAS on ships’ hulls through fouling.
• The Anti-Fouling Systems Convention bans harmful substances from anti-fouling coatings.

Question 2

What shipping activity is responsible for IAS?

Answer 2

1. Ballast water and 2. biofouling are responsible for many instances
   of IAS introductions.

• Once introduced, IAS are nearly impossible to eradicate: invasions must be prevented.

Question 3

Define the BWM Convention and say the objectives.

Answer 3

The Ballast Water Management Convention was adopted in 2004 with the aim of protecting the marine environment from the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms in ballast water carried by ships “through the control and management of ships’
ballast water and sediments

Question 4

How does the BWM Convention work?

Answer 4

First, there are three management options:

1. Ballast water exchange to meet D-1 Standard

• Ballast water must be exchanged in accordance with regulation D-1

2) Ballast water discharge to meet D-2 Standard

• Discharged ballast water must contain fewer viable organisms than specified in regulation D-2

3) Alternative options to provide equivalent environmental protection as options 1 and 2

Question 5

Where does BWM apply?

Answer 5

The BWM Convention applies to all ships designed or constructed to carry ballast water

It does not apply to:

1. domestic traffic, unless the Party
   determines that such ballast water discharges would be harmful
2. to ships operating only in the waters of one Party and the high seas, unless the Party determines such discharges to be harmful
3. to warships or other governmental ships in non-commercial service
4. to permanent ballast water in sealed tanks on ships that is not subject to discharge

Question 6

What are some common ways to kill the organisms in Ballast Water?

Answer 6

1. About 50% of approved BWMS use UV irradiation to kill organisms
2. About 50% use chemicals or Active Substances
   * most common is electrochlorination
   * other popular methods are chemical injection, ozone, deoxygenation, etc.
3. Most BWMS utilize a filter in addition to treatment
   * The cost of a BWMS is typically $0.5M to $2.0M depending on type / capacity

Question 7

What is Ballast Water?

Answer 7

water with its suspended matter taken
on board a ship to control trim, list,
draught, stability or stresses of the ship

Question 8

What is Ballast Water Management?

Answer 8

mechanical, physical, chemical and
biological processes, either singularly or in combination to remove, render
harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of harmful aquatic organisms
and pathogens within ballast water and
sediments

Question 9

What are sediments?

Answer 9

matter settled out of ballast water within a ship

Question 10

Articles 8,9,10 talk about violation of the BWM Convention, what do they say?

Answer 10

Article 8
- Violations to the requirements of the Convention shall be prohibited and sanctions established under the law
Article 9
- Ships are subject to inspection by port State Control to determine if ship is in compliance with the Convention
Article 10
- Cooperation between Parties: port State control officers can investigate a ship upon request by another Party

Question 11

how does PSC inspect BWM?

Answer 11

Initial inspection:

• verifying valid certificate on board
• inspection of ballast water record book
• sampling ballast water in accordance with Guidelines

Examples of clear grounds for detailed
inspection:
* no valid certificate on board
* doubts on condition of ship/equipment
* BWM procedures not known or not
implemented

Question 12

what are the guidelines of PSC for BWM Inspection?

Answer 12

There are 4 steps:

1. Initial inspection for documentation and officer for BWM on board
2. More detailed inspection to check operation of the BWMS (Article 9.2)
3. Indicative sampling to identify whether the ship is meeting the D-2
   standard
4. Detailed analysis to verify compliance with the D-2 standard

Question 13

What happens if violations are detected?

Answer 13

• Violations may result in warning, detention or exclusion of the ship
• Authorities may permit the ship to leave port to discharge ballast water or proceed to repair facilities
• Authorities may prohibit discharge of ballast water

Question 14

When are vessels allowed to NOT discharge unmanaged ballast water where they normally are prohibited to do so?

Answer 14

Annex 3:

• necessary for ensuring safety of ship, saving lives, etc.
• accidental due to damage to ship or equipment
• to avoid pollution
• loaded and discharged in the same area or in the high sea

Annex 4:

Administrations may grant exemptions to ships operating between specified ports or locations

• Risk assessment according to Guidelines (G7) required
• Adjacent states that may be affected must be consulted

Question 15

What are the documents that must be kept on board?

Answer 15

Ballast Water Management Plan (B-1):
* ship specific
* have it on board and implement it

Ballast Water Record Book (B-2):
* record all discharge of BW and each
operation concerning BW
* standard record book format – provided in Appendix II

Records must be kept and
updated on board!

Question 16

Where and how can BW be exchanged?

Answer 16

Regulation B-4: indicates where and under which conditions exchange of ballast water at sea (regulation D-1) can occur

1. Whenever possible: at least 200 nm from the nearest land and in water at least 200 metres depth

• If not possible: at least 50 nm from the nearest land and in water at least 200 metres depth
• If distance/depth requirements cannot be met: port State may designate areas where a ship can conduct ballast water exchange
• the ship should not be required to deviate from its intended voyage, or delay the voyage to comply with distance/depth requirements

Exception: ballast water exchange shall not take place if the master decides so for safety reasons

Question 17

What are the Ballast Water Management standards?

Answer 17

D-1 Standard:
This standard requires ships to perform ballast water exchange at sea. The exchange must be conducted at least 200 nautical miles from the nearest land and in waters at least 200 meters deep. The goal is to replace coastal water with open ocean water, reducing the likelihood of introducing invasive species.

D-2 Standard:
This standard sets specific limits on the number of viable organisms allowed in discharged ballast water. It requires ships to use ballast water treatment systems that meet these biological standards. The D-2 standard is more stringent and aims for higher protection levels.

Question 18

Explain D1 BWM system

Answer 18

Methods: There are three common methods for ballast water exchange:

Sequential Method: The ballast tanks are emptied and then refilled with open ocean water.

Flow-through Method: Ocean water is pumped into the ballast tank, allowing it to overflow and thereby replacing the coastal water.

Dilution Method: Ocean water is pumped into the tank from the bottom, pushing the coastal water out from the top