Norwegian Parliament approves ballast convention

A new international convention to prevent the potentially devastating effects of the spread of harmful aquatic organisms carried by ships' ballast water has been adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution from ships.

The Convention will require all ships to implement a Ballast Water and Sediments Management Plan. All ships will have to carry a Ballast Water Record Book and will be required to carry out ballast water management procedures to a given standard. Existing ships will be required to do the same, but after a phase-in period.

The Convention will enter into force 12 months after ratification by 30 States, representing 35 per cent of world merchant shipping tonnage. Until now 6 countries (Maldives, Nigeria, Saint Kitts og Nevis, Spain, Syria and Tuvalu), which is less than 1 % of the worlds total ship tonnage, have accepted the convention. Norway has approx. 2,4 % of the worlds tonnage, and will therefore be a significant contribution for the convention coming into force.

The Conference was attended by representatives of 74 States, one Associate Member of IMO; and observers from two intergovernmental organizations and 18 non-governmental international organizations.