The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 has been ratified by four more countries – Japan, the Kingdom of Tonga, Jordan and the Republic of Congo. This has been announced at the 67th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee, member of the RF delegation told IAA PortNews.
As of today, 42 Contracting States represent 32.02% of world merchant shipping tonnage. 35% of global tonnage is needed to trigger entry into force of the Convention.
The Russian Federation acceded to the Convention on Ballast Water Management by Resolution of the Russian Federation Government from 28 March, 2012 No 256.
The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water & Sediments was adopted at a Diplomatic Conference at IMO in London on 13th February 2004.
The Convention is aimed at introduction into practice of safer and more efficient methods to manage ballast water in order to prevent and minimize threat for environment and human health related to transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through management of ships ballast water and sediments and through development of ballast water treatment technology programmes.
The Convention shall apply to all ships entitled to fly a flag of any Party except for ships not designed or constructed to carry Ballast Water or ships of a Party which only operate in waters under the jurisdiction of that Party, unless decided otherwise.
The registered participants of MEPC represent over 150 countries. MEPC meets twice a year.
The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meets for its 67th session from 13 to 17 October >>>>