Several resolutions and circulars related to amendments to the Ballast Water Management Convention were issued by the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Marine Environment Protection Committee at its 80th Session (MEPC 80) held from 3 July to 7 July 2023 and its 81st Session (MEPC 81) held from 18 March to 22 March 2024.


1. Ballast Water Management Record Book (BWRB)
Amendments to the form used for BWRB set out in Appendix II of the Ballast Water Management Convention (Attachment 1: MEPC.369(80)) and a guidance providing sample entries of an amended BWRB (Attachment 2: BWM.2/Circ.80) have been adopted. On or after the effective date, the amended BWRB must be used to record ballast water management in accordance with this guidance.

Effective date: 1 February 2025

At the first periodical survey for the Ballast Water Management Convention on or after the effective date, the attending surveyor will confirm that the amended BWRB is provided on board. The BWRB shall be maintained on board the ship for a minimum period of two years after the last entry has been made and remain thereafter in the Company's control for a minimum period of three years. Therefore, it should be noted a BWRB used on board prior to the amendment shall also be properly maintained.


2. Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP)
Amendments to Guidelines for Ballast Water Management and development of Ballast Water Management Plans (G4) (Attachment 3: MEPC.370(80)) have been adopted. It is necessary to specify that the guidance (BWM.2/Circ.80), which provides sample entries of an amended BWRB, should be referenced in the record keeping requirements section of the BWMP. Please refer to (Attachment 4: Sample of BWMP amendments) for specific changes.

(To be continued)