Emergency Contact Ballast Water Management convention - guidance and FAQS Home Latest updates News Ballast Water Management convention - guidance and FAQS 3 Jan 2025 Download Sign up for alerts The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, commonly referred to as the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention [“the Convention”], was adopted in 2004 and entered into force on 8 September 2017. Its purpose is to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through the control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments, thereby protecting marine ecosystems, human health, and coastal economies. Which vessels does the BWM Convention apply to? The Convention applies to ships [1] flying the flag of a State that is Party to the Convention or to ships not entitled to fly the flag of a Party, but which operate under the authority of a Party. However, the Convention, does not apply to the following: Ships not designed or constructed to carry ballast water. Ships trading domestically (unless the coastal State within whose jurisdiction the ship trades requires compliance with the Convention). Any warships, naval auxiliary or other ships owned or operated by a State, provided they are used only on government non-commercial service. Ships with permanent ballast water in sealed tanks and therefore not subject to discharge at any time.   [1] Ship means a vessel of any type whatsoever operating in the aquatic environment and includes submersibles, floating crafts, floating platforms, Floating Storage Units (FSUs) and Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs).       What documents are required for compliance with the BWM Convention for vessels under 400 GT? The Convention’s survey and certification requirements, including the issuance of an International Ballast Water Management Certificate (IBWMC), do not apply to ships under 400 GT. Instead, the Convention requires Admi