International rules on ballast water updated

Delegates at the International Maritime Organization’s biennial general assembly have adopted a non-binding resolution on the stalled ballast water convention, pushing back the date from which it will apply to older ships.

The 2009 convention aims to tackle the spread of invasive species in the seawater taken on board to balance vessels. It has not yet entered force because not enough countries have ratified it.

The shipping industry has lobbied for a delay because the 2009 date set in the convention for introducing new ballast water management standards has already passed. This means all ships would need to comply as soon as it enters force, even though the number that can be retrofitted at once is limited.