Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
International des Epizooties (OIE), and Human Health and Human Health
regulations see Shine
et al
. 2000, 2005.
transport operations
The Convention establishing the IMO was adopted in Geneva in 1948 and the
IMO fi rst met in 1959. The IMO's main task has been to develop and maintain
a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping and its remit today includes
safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical cooperation, maritime
security, and the effi ciency of shipping.
h e member countries of IMO developed guidelines for the control and man-
agement of ships' ballast water, to minimize the transfer of harmful aquatic organ-
isms and pathogens. h ese guidelines were adopted by the IMO Assembly in 1997.
Management and control measures recommended by the guidelines include:
Minimizing the uptake of organisms during ballasting.
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Cleaning ballast tanks and removing mud and sediment that accumulates in
these tanks on a regular basis.
Avoiding unnecessary discharge of ballast.
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•
Undertaking ballast water management procedures, including:
•
Exchanging ballast water at sea. Implementation of this measure is subject
to ships' safety limits.
Non-release or minimal release of ballast water.
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Discharge to onshore reception and treatment facilities.
In recognition of the limitations of the guidelines, the current lack of a totally
eff ective solution, and the serious threats still posed by invasive marine species,
IMO member countries also agreed to develop a mandatory international legal
regime to regulate and control ballast water, and the
International Convention for
the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments
was adopted in
February 2004. It is not yet in force, but will be so 12 months after ratifi cation by
30 States, representing 35% of world merchant shipping tonnage. In it, Parties
undertake to:
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Give full and complete effect to the provisions of the Convention and the
Annex in order to prevent, minimize, and ultimately eliminate the transfer of
harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through the control and manage-
ment of ships' ballast water and sediments.
Ensure that ports and terminals where cleaning or repair of ballast tanks occurs
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have adequate reception facilities for the reception of sediments.
Promote and facilitate scientifi c and technical research on ballast water man-
•
agement; and monitor the effects of ballast water management in waters
under their jurisdiction.
