It is anticipated that the IMO Convention for the Control of Ballast Water and Sediments will be enacted in April 2016 at the IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee MEPC meeting.

Ratification is impending as several countries have recently signed the convention (current gross tonnage is 34.82%) and Finland appears poised to do so in the next few weeks.  That will bring the gross tonnage of the world’s fleet as signatures to the convention to over the 35% threshold whereby Australia will enact its domestic and international obligations to manage ballast water and sediments.  

The Convention in Australia is represented by 3 separate items that will require management by a Recognized Organization under the Biosecurity Act.

1.       Ballast Water Management Plans *

2.       Ballast Water Certificates*

3.       Ballast Water Treatment Systems (engineering)

The AIMS has established a subcommittee to support and work with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. Dr Michael Sierp, a bio-fouling expert will represent AIMS on this committee and will work with the Executive Officer to develop Terms of Reference for the committee’s work.