A summary of the decision taken at the sixty-ninth session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 69) held from 18 to 22 April 2016 is provided as below for your information.

1. Ballast Water Management Convention
Ballast Water Management Convention was adopted in 2004 in order to prevent the adverse effects to the marine environment caused by the transfer of ballast water. The Convention will require ships to conduct ballast water exchange offshore or through Ballast Water Management Systems which meet the standard for the discharge of ballast water.
The Convention will enter into force 12 months after ratification by 30 states, representing 35% of the world merchant shipping tonnage.

(1) Status of ratification
Belgium, Fiji, Saint Lucia and Peru ratified the Convention in 2016. Currently, the Convention is ratified by 51 states, representing 34.87% of the world merchant shipping tonnage.

(2) Draft amendments to the Convention based on resolution A.1088(28)
At Assembly 28, held in 2013, resolution A.1088(28) was adopted, in which existing ships, originally required to install the Ballast Water Management Systems by the implementation date of the Convention, were allowed to be exempted from installation of the Systems for a period of maximum 5 years. Further, it was recommended to revise regulation B-3 upon entry into force of the Convention in line with the resolution.
At this session, draft amendments to regulation B-3 of the Convention reflecting the requirements of resolution A.1088(28) were approved. The draft amendments will be kept in abeyance for circulation immediately upon entry into force of the Convention with a view to subsequent adoption.

The implementation deadline for BWMS according to the amendments:
Ships keel laid before the entry into force:First renewal survey of IOPP Certificate after the entry into force
Ships keel laid on or after the entry into force:First renewal survey of IOPP Certificate

(To be continued)