1 Introduction
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Ballast Water Management - BWM.2/Circular.17 – International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 – (20 October 2008)Guidance document on arrangements for responding to emergency situations involving ballast water operations - Annex – Draft Guidance Document on Arrangements for Responding to Emergency Situations Involving Ballast Water Operations - 1 Introduction

1 Introduction

  1.1 The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM Convention) regulates the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens from ships' ballast water and sediments. This Convention gives a Party, individually or jointly with other Parties, the right to introduce additional measures (e.g., immediate control measures in emergency or epidemic situations) in accordance with regulation C-1, taking into account the Guidelines for additional measures regarding ballast water management including emergency situations (G13).

  1.2 The technical recommendations contained in this document provide guidance for use in emergency/epidemic situations, when specific and rapid measures need to be taken to prevent major threats and damages from the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through ballast water. This guidance would assist a Party to rapidly identify appropriate measure(s) whenever emergency situations occur in relation to ballast water operations. Countries should analyse the risks and nature of the threats that are posed by ballast water transfer in their waters and develop the structure that best suits them, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of the ecosystems involved and the resources available to them. This Guidance is not intended as a mandatory model or a set structure to be followed during potential or actual emergencies.

  1.3 Examples of when an emergency situation may arise include:

– the introduction of organisms that may cause significant damage to the human population, human food supply, industry or other economic activities, or an area's natural biodiversity; or
– the threat of such an introduction through ballast water from a vessel that has come from another emergency area.

  1.4 Appropriate and efficiently applied emergency measures are vital to minimizing both the potential damage in an affected area and the risk of other areas being affected. Emergency situations relating to environmental, economic and human health issues may represent an immediate threat to a particular location, or to neighbouring locations, as well as areas to be visited by vessels carrying ballast water from this location.

  1.5 Rapid and correct handling of the emergency will also affect the likelihood of normalizing the situation in the longer term. It should be noted, however, that the priority for emergency situations should be the prevention of introduction of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens. Once a relevant species has gained a foothold in an area, it will be very difficult to eradicate it without causing additional significant environmental or habitat damage. Often terrestrial eradication measures do not transfer easily into the coastal, tidal and marine environment.

Parent topic: Annex – Draft Guidance Document on Arrangements for Responding to Emergency Situations Involving Ballast Water Operations
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