Ballast Convention moves a step closer
IMO's environment committee MEPC has decided to suspend the sampling of ballast water for a period when the Ballast Convention comes into effect. But other control instruments, such as certificates and document check, will be maintained.
Sampling of ballast water has at a number of occasions been discussed and until now it has not been possible to reach agreement on the future direction. This has led to major flag states, such as Panama and the Bahamas, to being reluctant to ratify the Convention and thus they have prevented that it steps into force.
"We have removed one of the small stones on the road and ensured that sampling only comes into consideration when we are satisfied that it is practicable. We still have larger stones in our way, such as Convention implementation dates and the precise guidelines for port State control. And as long as the discussion here is not complete, it is difficult to see that sufficient ratification will be achieved", says Head of Secretariat Peter Olsen from the Danish Shipowners' Association.
The Convention, adopted in 2004, still needs support from approx. 6 percent of the world’s merchant fleet.
Source: Danish Shipowners
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