Ballast Water Management Plan

Ships of 400 gross tonnes and above are required to have on board and implement a Ballast Water Management Plan approved by Administration. The BWMP is specific to each ship and includes a detailed description of the actions to be taken to implement the Ballast Water Management requirements and supplemental Ballast Water Management practises.

Ships must have a Ballast Water Record Book to record when ballast water is taken on board, circulated or treated for Ballast Management purposes, and discharged into the sea. It should also record when ballast water is discharged to a reception facility and accidental or other exceptional discharges of ballast water.

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Further Reading: IMO Resolution MEPC 127 (53) Guidelines for Ballast Water Management and Development of Ballast Water Management Plans.