BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENTK.V.V.UNNI

IMPORTANT IMO RESOLUTIONSRESOLUTION A.868(20),DATED 27/11/97RESOLUTION A.774(18) WAS MADE BY IMO.THIS RESOLUTION WAS BASED ON THE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF MEPC AND WHO TO CONTROL DISCHARGE OF BALLAST WATER IN PORTS AND ESTUARIES WHICH HAS BEEN CAUSING TRANSFER OF HARMFUL MARINE ORGANISMS AND PATHOGENS CAUSING INJURY AND DAMAGE TO BIO-DIVERSITY . EXISTING MEPC CIRC.288 WAS NOT PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE PLANS AND REGULATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL IMPLIMENTATION HENCE THIS RESOLUTION WAS ISSUED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF MEPC/CIRC.329 AND MSC/CIRC 805, DATED 30/6/97 .THIS RESOLUTION GIVES A COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL OVER BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT, MANDATORY BY 2000, AND FORMS A NEW ANNEX TO MARPOL 73/78.IT CONTAINS 12 CHAPTERS AND 2 APPENDICES.

1 INTRODUCTIONMANY SPECIES O F BACTERIA,PLANTS& ANIMALS CAN SURVIVE IN BALLAST & SEDIMENTS IN SHIPS FOR LONG PERIODS.WHILE DE-BALLASTING,THEY CAN BECOME POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS TO INDIGINOUS MARINE LIFE.THIS PHENOMENON HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY IMO AND WHO, AND CONSIDER AS A FACTOR IN SPREADING OF EPIDEMIC DESEASES.IMO GUIDELINES ARE MEANT FOR MINIMIZING THE MENACE, UNTIL OTHER SUITABLE MODES ARE ARRIVED AT. IN THE MEANTIME, PORT &FLAG STATES ARE TO PROVIDE MAXIMUM ASSISTANCE TOWARDS BETTER CONTROL.SELECTION OF METHODOLOGY DEPENS ON : TYPES OF ORGANISMS BEING TARGETTED, LEVEL OF RISK, ENVIRONMENTAL ACCEPTABILITY, ECONOMIC & ECOLOGICAL COST, SAFETY OF SHIPS.

2.DEFENITIONSADMINISTRATION : GOVERNMENT OF STATE UNDER WHICH THE V/L OPERATES.CONVENTION : MARPOL 73/78MEMBER STATES : STATES THAT ARE MEMBERS OF IMOORGANIZATION : IMOPORT STATE AUTHORITY : GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR ORGANIZATION FOR ENFORCING NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING CONTROL MEASURES.TREATMENT : A PROCESS,OR MECHANICAL,CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL METHODS TO KILL/REMOVE OR INFERTILIZE HARMFUL OR POTENTIALLY HARMFUL ORGANISMS WITHIN BALLAST WATER.

3.APPLICATIONSTHE GUIDELINES ARE DIRECTED TO MEMBER STATES AND CAN APPLY TO ALL SHIPS. HOWEVER THE PORT STATE AUTHORITY SHALL DECIDE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY DO APPLY

4.GUIDELINE OBJECTIVES&BACKGROUNDALLOWS PORT STATES TO EXEMPT SHIPS WITHIN THE AREA UNDER THEM IN FULL OR PART OF REGULATIONS. ANY GOVERNMENT WISHING TO DO LEGISLATION ON THIS SUBJECT TO FOLLOW THE IMO GUIDELINES.GUIDELINES ARE TO HELP MEMBER STATES TO CARRY OUT UNIFORM AND STANDARD MANNER.TO ASSIST ALL CONCERNED PARTIES FOR MINIMIZING RISK OF INTRODUCING HARMFUL ORGANISMS AND PATHOGENS FROM BALLAST WATER & SEDIMENTS, WHILE PROTECTING SHIPS SAFETY.

5.DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATIONADMINISTRATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAINTAIN AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION THROUGH IMO, SUCH AS PROVIDING INFORMATION ON OUTBREAKS OR INFESTATIONS OF HARMFUL AQUATIC ORGANISMS, COPIES OF EXISTING LEGISLATION, LOCATION OF POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE EXCHANGE AREAS,CONTINGENCY STRATEGIES, AVAILABILITY&COST OF RECEPTION FACILITIES ETC.MEMBER STATES WHO ARE IMPLIMENTING CONTROLS SHOULD NOTIFY IMO FOR INFORMATION TO OTHER MEMBER STATES OR NGOS COPIES OF INFORMATION ON REGULATIONS.STANDARDS,EXEMPTIONS/GUIDELINES ETC. ALL SUCH DOCUMENTATION SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO SHIPS WELL IN ADVANCE TO ARRIVAL PORT.ANY FAILURE IN COMPLYING WITH THE ABOVE WILL CAUSE DELAY/FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS TO ARRIVAL OF VESSELS .SHIP OPERATORS/MANAGERS SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH SUCH PROCEDURES INCLUDING INFORMATION REQUIRED THAT WILL BE NEEDED TO OBTAIN ENTRY CLEARANCE.ALL MEMBER STES TO PROVIDE IMO WITH INFORMATION ON R&D REGARDING IMPACT&CONTROL OF HARMFUL ORGANISMS AND PATHOGENS.MEMBER STATES TO INFORM IMO DETAILS OF RECORDS FOR WAIVER OF REGULATIONS :e.g.FORCE MAJURE, HEAVY WEATHER, LACK/FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT, LACK OF INFORMATION CONCERNING PORT STATE REQUIREMENTS.

6.TRAINING AND EDUCATIONTRAINNING FOR SHIP MASTERS AND STAFF REGARDING BALLAST CONTROL PROCEDURES BASED UPON GUIDELINES. MAINTENANCE OF LOG BOOKS AND RECORDS. MARINE TRAINING TO INCLUDE BALLAST MANAGEMENT AS PART OF SYLLABUS.APPLICATION OF PROCESS/PROCEDURES ARE AIMED AT KILL/REMOVE HARMFUL ORGANISMS/PATHOGENS.SUCH TRAINING TO BE MADE AS PART OF CREW CERTIFICATION.

7.PROCEDURES FOR V/LS AND PORT STATESPROCEDURES FOR SHIPS:EVERY SHIP THAT CARRIES BALLAST WATER SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN INTENDED FOR SAFE AND EFFECTIVE MEANS OF BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT.THIS PLAN SHOULD BE SPECIFIC FOR EACH VESSEL.SUCH PLAN WILL BE PART OF VESSELS OPERATIONAL DOCUMENTATION. IT SHOULD ADDRESS:RELEVANT PART OF GUIDELINES, APPROVAL OF PLAN, INDICATION OF SUPPORTING RECORDS, LOCATION OF SAMPLING POINTS PROCEDURES FOR PORT STATES,:RECEPTION&TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR SAFE DISPOSAL, DISCHARGING BALLAST WATER AND SEDIMENTS TO A SAFE RECEPTION FACILITY IS IDEAL SOLUTION. PORT STATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENSURE SUCH FACILITIES ARE ADEQUATE.

8.RECORDING & REPORTING PROCEDURESPROCEDURE FOR SHIPS.IN CASE OF FAILURE TO ADHERE TO PROCEDURE DUE TO ANY REASON, THE MASTER TO INFORM PORT STATE AUTHORITY EARLIEST PRIOR TO ENTERING SEAS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION.ONE OFFICER TO BE ENTRUSTED WITH RECORDING/LOGGING CONNECTED ACTIVITIES.WHILE BALLASTING/DEBALLASTING THE DATE/LOCATION/CONNECTED TANKS OR HOLDS/SALINITY/TEMPERATURE/QUANTITY TO BE RECORDED IN A FORMAT.THIS RECORD SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO AUTHORITY WHEN CALLED FOR.SAMPLING POINTS TO BE SHOWN IN B/W/M PLAN PROCEDURES FOR PORT STATESPORT STATES SHOULD PROVIDE INFORMATION TO V/LS, SUCH AS DETAILS OF REQUIREMENTS/LOCATION&USE OF EXCHANGE ZONES/CONTINGENCY ARRANGEMENTS/DETAILS OF RECEPTION FACILITIESTHEY SHOULD INFORM OWNERS/AGENTS/MANAGERS/SHIPS REGARDING ANY HAZARDOUS ZONE FROM WHERE BALLAST WATER INTAKE SHOULD BE MINIMISES OR NOT DONE, AREAS SUCH AS HAVING AREAS WITH PHYTOPLANKTON BLOOMS, SEWAGE OUTLETS,DREDGING AREAS,HEAVY TIDES,AREAS WITH TOO LOW TIDAL FLUSHING

9.SHIPS OPERATIONAL PROCEDURESPRECAUTIONARY PRACTICES : BALLAST INTAKE TO BE MINIMISED OR AVOIDED IN VIEW OF INCLUSION OF HARMFUL ORGANISMS/PATHOGENS IN AREAS NOTIFIED BY ADMINISTRATION, SHALLOW WATERS, DURING DARKNESS(ORGANISMS TEND TO COME TO SURFACE), WHERE PROPELLOR CHURNS UP SEDIMENT.REMOVAL OF BALLAST SEDIMENT IN A TIMELY BASIS FLUSHING OUT IN MID-OCEAN,CLEAN-UP WHEN ALONGSIDE OR DRYDOCK WITH SUCH FACILITY. AVOIDING UNNECESSARY DISCHARGE/INTAKE. DILIGENT RECORDING OF ACTIVITIES.

9.A.BALLAST WATER EXCHANGENEAR-COASTAL ORGANISMS CANNOT SURVIVE IN MID-OCEAN, AND VICE -VERSA.WHEN EXCHANGING BALLAST WATERSAFETY ASPECTS AS PER APPENDIX=2 APPLIES.WHERE PRACTICAL, EXCHANGE SHOULD BE DONE AS FAR AWAY FROM SHORE AS POSSIBLE. WHERE THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE(ESP.WITHIN 200NM) CONDITIONS APPLY.DE-BALLASTING TO BE DONE UNTIL P/P LOSES SUCTION, THENCE STRIPPER/EDUCTOR TO BE USED FOR COMPLETION.WHEN FLOW-THROUGH METHOD IS USED AT LEAST 3 FLUSHINGS TO BE DONE.WHERE BALLAST EXCHANGE NOT POSSIBLE, ACTIVITY CONFIRMING TO PORT STATE GUIDELINES APPLY.WHERE NO FACILITIES EXIST, WATER TO BE RETAINED IN TANKS OR ABSOLUTELY MINIMAL DISCHARGE DONE.WHERE FACILITY IS AVAILABLE. IY SHOULD BE USED.EMERGENT NEW TECHNOLOGIES INVOLVING FILTRATION,DISINFECTION BY U-V TREATMENT,AND OTHER SUCH MODES TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXCHANGE WHEREVER AVAILABLE/FITTED.RESULTS OF USAGE OF NEW METHODS TO BE FED BACK TO IMO FOR EVALUATION AND IMPLIMENTATION.

APPENDIX-2 OUTLINES SAFETY ASPECTS OF BALLAST EXCHANGE AT SEA IN DETAIL.

10.PORT STATE CONSIDERATIONSHIGHLY DISPERATE CONDITION BETWEEN INTAKE/DISCHARGE OF BALLAST WATERBALLAST WATER AGE MINIMUM 100 DAYS ACCEPTED FOR DEATH/DECAYPRESENCE OF TARGET ORGANISMSPORT STATES TO UNDERTAKE SURVEYS TO DETERMINE TYPES OF ORGANISMS PRESENT

11.ENFORCEMENT/MONITORING BY PORT STATE AUTHORITIES PORT STATES TO INFORM IMO ABOUT IMPLEMENTATON.MEMBER STATES CAN HAVE OWN LEGISLATION,SUBJECT TO NOTIFICATION TO IMOPORT STATES MUST ENSURE SAFETY OF SHIP & MEN WHILE ENFORCINGBALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS SHOULD BE EFFECTIVE,SAFE,COST-PROOF,VIABLE,PRACTICAL AND LEAST DELAYS TO /L OPERATION AND BASED ON IMO GUIDELINES.INSTRUCTIONS TO V/L TO BE CLEAR AND CONCISE.VISITING SHIPS TO BE GIVEN ALL CONCERNED INFORMATIONALL INSPECTIOS/MONITORING/ENFORCEMENT TO BE FAIR AND CONSISTENT WITH GUIDELINES.DEVIATIONS TO BE REPORTED TO IMO.COMPLIANCE MONITORING TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY PORT STES. E.g.ANALYSING SAMPLES FOR HARMFUL ORGANISMS LEFTOVER etc.THIS DOESNOT MEAN DELAYING V/L. SHIP TO BE GIVEN SUFFICIENT NOTICE FOR SUCH INSPECTIONMASTER HAS AN OBLIGATION FOR GIVING MAXIMUM CO-OPERATION FOR ABOVE ACTIVITIES.SAMPLING FOR MONITORING/RESEARCH IS PURELY PORT STATE ACTIVITY. HOWEVER,IMO WELCOMES ANY FINDINGS RELAYED BACK.INTENTION FOR TAKING SAMPLE SHOULD BE MADE CLEAR TO MASTER AND RESULTS SHOULD BE INFORMED TO HIMPORT STATE HAS RIGHT TO EXAMINE SAMPLE BEFORE PERMITTING ENTRY TO ITS WATERS. IN CASE OF SERIOUS NON CONFORMITY,CONTINGENCY PLAN TO BE CALLED INTO ACTION.

12.FUTURE CONSIDERATIONSRESEARCH NEEDSLONG TERM EVALUTION OF SAFETY ASPECTS

13.BALLAST SYSTEM DESIGNS.BUILDERS,OWNERS AND CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES TO TAKE THESE GUIDELINES FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION

Requirements for Biological Effectiveness and Environmental ConcernsTHE ONLY CURRENT METRIC REGARDING BIOLOGICAL EFFICACY IS BALLAST WATER EXCHANGE. THE COMMONLYHELD VIEW IS THAT ANY NEW SYSTEM SHOULD BE AT LEAST AS EFFECTIVE AS BALLAST WATER EXCHANGE.EXCHANGE INVOLVES THE REPLACEMENT OF NEAR SHORE OR COASTAL WATER WITH OPEN-OCEAN WATER DURINGA VOYAGE. THIS REDUCES THE DENSITY IN BALLAST TANKS OF COASTAL ORGANISMS THAT MAY BE ABLE TOESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN A RECIPIENT PORT, AND REPLACES THEM WITH DEEP OCEAN ORGANISMS THAT HAVE ALOWER PROBABILITY OF SURVIVAL IN THE NEAR SHORE ECOSYSTEMS.HOWEVER, THE EXCHANGE IS NEVER 100% COMPLETE. THERE WILL INVARIABLY BE SOME RESIDUAL DENSITYOF COASTAL ORGANISMS SURVIVING WHEN THE BALLAST WATER IS DISCHARGED. THE CURRENT BEST ESTIMATEOF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXCHANGE (WHEN IT CAN ACTUALLY BE IMPLEMENTED) IS THAT THERE IS A 95%VOLUMETRIC EXCHANGE OF BALLAST WATER. FOR SOME SHIPS THE VOLUMETRIC EXCHANGE CAN BECONSIDERABLY LESS THAN 95% COMPLETE, BECAUSE OF INCOMPLETE MIXING DUE TO THE GEOMETRY ANDSTRUCTURE WITH THE BALLAST TANK AND THE LOCATIONS OF THE INLET PIPING AND DISCHARGE OPENING. THISDOES NOT NECESSARILY EQUATE TO 95% REDUCTION OF THE TARGET ORGANISMS WITHIN THE BALLAST TANKS,HOWEVER. WHEN CONSIDERING MORE RIGOROUS METRICS FOR EFFICACY, THE GLOBALLAST ATTENDEES [4]ACTUALLY STATE IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO USE EQUIVALENCY WITH VOLUMETRIC EXCHANGE AS ABIOLOGICAL EFFECTIVENESS STANDARD.IT IS ALSO GENERALLY AGREED THAT 100% BIOLOGICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF BALLAST WATER TREATMENT IS NOTACHIEVABLE FOR ALL AQUATIC ORGANISMS AND PATHOGENS WITH THE BEST CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY.SO, THE QUESTION OF AN APPROPRIATE DESIGN TARGET EFFICACY CANNOT YET BE CLEARLY ELUCIDATED AND ISTHE SUBJECT RESEARCH AND DEBATE.

AFTER THOUGHTS

APPENDIX II

BALLAST WATER REPORTING FORM

IS THIS AN AMENDED BALLAST REPORTING FORM YES NO

1. VESSEL INFORMATION

2. VOYAGE INFORMATION

3. BALLAST WATER USAGE AND CAPACITY

Vessel Name: Spar Virgo

Arrival Port: Vera Cruz

Specidy Units Below (m3, MT, LT, ST)

IMO Number:9299276

Arrival Date: 10.05.06

Total Ballast Water on Board:

Owner: Spar Shipping A.S

Agent: Linea Maritima Mexicana SA de CV

Volume

Units

No. of tanks in ballast

Type:Bulk carrier

Last Port: HOUSTON

Country of Last Port: USA

9852.2

m3

22

GRT:32474 MT

Total Ballast Water Capacity

Call Sign:LAZR 5

Next Port: Cristobal

Country of Next Port: Panama

Volume

Units

Total no. of tanks on Ship

Flag:NIS

31475

m3

4. BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT

Total No. of Ballast Water Tanks to be discharged

NIL

Of tanks to be discharged, how many:

Underwent Exchange:

N/A

Underwent Alternative Management

N/A

Please specify alternative method(s) used, if any:

N/A

If no ballast treatment conducted, state reason why not:

N/A

Ballast Management Plan on Board?

YES

NO

Management Plan Implemented?

YES

NO

IMO Ballast Water Guidelines on board (res. A.868(20)?

YES

NO

5. BALLAST WATER HISTORY

Record all tanks to be deballasted in Port State of Arrival:

IF NONE, GO TO #6 (Use additional sheets as required)

TANKS / HOLDS

BW SOURCES

BW MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

BW DISCHARGES

List multiple source/

DATE

PORT or

VOLUME

TEMP

DATE

END POINT

VOLUME

%

METHOD

SEA HT

DATE

PORT or

VOLUME

SALINITY

tanks seperately

DD/MM/YY

LAT/LONG

m3

C

DD/MM/Y

LAT/LONG

m3

Exch

ER/FT/ALT

MTR

DD/MM/Y

LAT.LONG

m3

UNITS

6. RESPONSIBLE OFFICER'S NAME AND TITLE - PRINTED AND SIGNATURE:

SATENDER KUMAR ( CHIEF OFFICER )

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