1 Introduction
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.868(20) – Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water to Minimize the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens – (Adopted on 27 November 1997) - Annex - Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water to Minimize the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens - Appendix 2 - Guidance on Safety Aspects of Ballast Water Exchange at Sea - 1 Introduction

1 Introduction

  1.1 This document is intended to provide guidance on the safety aspects of ballast water exchange at sea. The different types of ships which may be required to undertake ballast water exchange at sea make it presently impractical to provide specific guidelines for each ship type. Shipowners are cautioned that they should consider the many variables that apply to their ships. Some of these variables include type and size of ship, ballast tank configurations and associated pumping systems, trading routes and associated weather conditions, port State requirements and manning.

  1.2 Ballast water exchange at sea procedures contained in relevant management plans should be individually assessed for their effectiveness from the environmental protection point of view as well as from the point of view of their acceptability in terms of structural strength and stability.

  1.3 In the absence of a more scientifically based means of control, exchange of ballast water in deep ocean areas or open seas currently offers a means of limiting the probability that fresh water or coastal aquatic species will be transferred in ballast water. Two methods of carrying out ballast water exchange at sea have been identified:

  • .1 the sequential method in which ballast tanks are pumped out and refilled with clean water; and/or

  • .2 the flow-through method in which ballast tanks are simultaneously filled and discharged by pumping in clean water.

Parent topic: Appendix 2 - Guidance on Safety Aspects of Ballast Water Exchange at Sea
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