1 The application of these Guidelines should apply
to those vessels covered by Article 3 of
the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships'
Ballast Water and Sediments (the Ballast Water Management Convention),
taking into account the exceptions in regulation
A-3 of the Convention. These Guidelines do not replace the
requirements of the Ballast Water Management Convention,
but provide an interim Ballast Water Regional Management Plan for
Antarctica under Article 13(3).
2 If the safety of the ship is in any way jeopardized
by a ballast exchange, it should not take place. Additionally these
guidelines do not apply to the uptake or discharge of ballast water
and sediments for ensuring the safety of the ship in emergency situations
or saving life at sea in Antarctic waters.
3 A Ballast Water Management Plan should be prepared
for each vessel with ballast tanks entering Antarctic waters, specifically
taking into account the problems of ballast water exchange in cold
environments and in Antarctic conditions.
4 Each vessel entering Antarctic waters should
keep a record of ballast water operations.
5 For vessels needing to discharge ballast water
within the Antarctic Treaty area, ballast water should first be exchanged
before arrival in Antarctic waters (preferably north of either the
Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone or 60°S, whichever is the furthest
north) and at least 200 nautical miles from the nearest land in water
at least 200 metres deep. (If this is not possible for operational
reasons then such exchange should be undertaken in waters at least
50 nautical miles from the nearest land in waters of at least 200
metres depth).
6 Only those tanks that will be discharged in
Antarctic waters would need to undergo ballast water exchange following
the procedure in paragraph 5. Ballast water exchange of all tanks
is encouraged for all vessels that have the potential/capacity to
load cargo in Antarctica, as changes in routes and planned activities
are frequent during Antarctic voyages due to changing meteorological
and sea conditions.
7 If a vessel has taken on ballast water in Antarctic
waters and is intending to discharge ballast water in Arctic, sub-Arctic,
or sub-Antarctic waters, it is recommended that ballast water should
be exchanged north of the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone, and at least
200 nautical miles from the nearest land in water at least 200 metres
deep. (If this is not possible for operational reasons then such exchange
should be undertaken in waters at least 50 nautical miles from the
nearest land in waters of at least 200 metres depth.)
8 Release of sediments during the cleaning of
ballast tanks should not take place in Antarctic waters.
9 For vessels that have spent significant time
in the Arctic, ballast water sediment should preferably be discharged
and tanks cleaned before entering Antarctic waters (south of 60°S).
If this cannot be done then sediment accumulation in ballast tanks
should be monitored and sediment should be disposed of in accordance
with the ship's Ballast Water Management Plan. If sediments are disposed
of at sea, then they should be disposed of in waters at least 200
nautical miles from the shoreline in waters at least 200 metres deep.
10 Governments are invited to exchange information
on invasive marine species or anything that will change the perceived
risk associated with ballast water.