Maritime Glossary

Ballast Water Management Convention

Also known as: BWM Convention, BWMC

IMO convention requiring ships to manage ballast water to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species.

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Full Definition

The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) was adopted by IMO in 2004 and entered into force in September 2017. Ships must implement a Ballast Water Management Plan and carry a Ballast Water Record Book. Standard D-2 requires treatment with an approved BWTS before discharge, limiting living organism concentrations to specified levels. Compliance timelines are tied to IOPP renewal surveys.

Domain Tags

regulationenvironment