PureBallast Ballast water treatment regulations 1/2

Ballast water
treatment regulations
Up to now, only certain nations have imposed restrictions to prevent the transport
of marine species. Soon, however, worldwide standards for ballast water manage-
ment will be introduced. After extensive discussion at an international level, IMO
has adopted regulations that will affect nearly all vessels in the coming years.

The IMO convention

On 13 February 2004, IMO adopted the International Convention for the Control
and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments. This convention will phase
in ballast water treatment standards over the coming years, beginning in 2009 with
requirements for newbuilds.
The convention will enter into force once it has been ratified by 30 countries represen-
ting 35% of the world’s gross tonnage. Countries can also impose “more stringent
measures”, either individually or jointly, with such measures not subject to IMO approval.

The standards
The IMO convention defines two ballast water standards, D-1 and D-2. The first refers
to ballast water exchange, while the second refers to ballast water treatment.
Standard D-1:
 Requires ballast water exchange with 95% volumetric efficiency, which is assumed
to be achieved after a throughput of three times the ballast water volume.
 Stipulates that, whenever possible, ballast water exchange must occur at least
200 nautical miles offshore and in at least 200 m of water. If this is not possible
due to the ship’s route, exchange must occur at least 50 nautical miles offshore
and in at least 200 m of water.
 Allows the port state to designate “exchange zones” with a lesser distance
and depth.
 Includes provisions that prohibit a port state from requiring a ship to deviate from
its voyage to comply with the 200/200 and 50/200 provisions above.
Standard D-2:
 Requires ballast water treatment to less than 10 viable organisms per cubic metre
for organisms of a size greater than or equal to 50 microns.
 Requires ballast water treatment to less than 10 viable organisms per millilitre for
organisms of a size less than 50 microns.
 Sets three indicator micron discharge limits:
1. Less than one colony-forming unit (cfu) of toxicogenic vibrio cholerae per
100 ml or less than one cfu per gram (wet weight)
2. Less than 250 cfu of Escherichia coli per 100 ml
3. Less than 100 cfu of intestinal enterococci per 100 ml
 Stipulates that ballast water treatment systems using “active substances” (chemical
or biological biocides) must be approved by IMO.
 Calls for a review of standard D-2 three years prior to its first application date, i.e.
review in 2006 for a first application in 2009.
All ships must carry an approved ballast water management plan and maintain a
ballast water record book.

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Phase-in of standards
Standards D-1 and D-2 will be phased in according to ship age and ballast water
capacity. In effect, all ships must perform ballast water exchange as of 2009 if they
do not have an approved ballast water treatment system.
For the phase-in, existing ships are defined as those constructed before 2009.
Newbuilds are defined as ships constructed in 2009 or later, though there will be a
relaxed phase for ships built between 2009 and 2012.
The phase-in cut-off criteria for capacity are as follows:
 Less than 1500 m3
 Between 1500 and 5000 m3
 Greater than 5000 m3
The table below provides an overview of the phase-in period.

Constructed before 2009, ballast water capacity 1500-5000 m3

D-1 or D-2 from 2009 to 2014
D-2 as of 2014
Constructed before 2009, ballast water capacity <1500 or >5000 m3
D-1 or D-2 from 2009 to 2016
D-2 as of 2016
Constructed 2009 or later, ballast water capacity <5000 m3
D-1 or D-2 from 2009 to 2012
D-2 as of 2012

Certification of ballast water treatment systems

Compliancy certification for standard D-2 involves testing with two types of water with
differing salinity and turbidity. Land-based and onboard tests of biological performance
must be performed, all of which are conducted at full scale and with a minimum ballast
water capacity of 200 m3/h. In addition, there is a two-step procedure known as Active
Substance Approval, which certifies that the solution leaves no toxic residue that might
negatively impact the environment.

Biological performance testing 1

Land-based 4-6 months
Onboard 6 months
Active Substance Approval 2
Basic approval Pilot scale
Final approval Full scale

1
To be approved by national authorities
2
To be approved by IMO

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