The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM Convention), is concerned with preventing, minimizing and ultimately eliminating the risks to the environment, human health, property and resources arising from the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens, through the control and management of ships' ballast water and sediments. The BWM Convention also aims to avoid unwanted side-effects from that control and encourages developments in related knowledge and technology. The 2018 consolidated edition aims to provide an easy and comprehensive reference to the up-to-date provisions and unified interpretation of articles and annex of the BWM Convention

This publication provides useful practical information to Governments, particularly those of developing countries, administrations, shipowners, port state control authorities, environmental agencies and other stakeholders on the implications of ratifying, implementing and enforcing the Ballast Water Management Convention. The aim is to encourage the further ratification and proper implementation and enforcement of the Convention. However, it should be noted that, the legal purposes, the authentic text of the Convention should always be consulted

The Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at its fifty-first session in April 2004, approved a programme for the development of guidelines and procedures for uniform implementation of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, listed in Conference resolution 1 including additional guidance required but not listed in the resolution. The programme was further expanded at the fifty-third session of the MEPC in July 2005 to develop and adopt 14 sets of Guidelines, the last one being adopted by resolution MEPC.173(58) in October 2008. This 2009 edition reproduces the text of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' ballast water and sediments, the four Conference resolutions, and the 14 sets of Guidelines developed and adopted by the MEPC of the Organization

Ballast water management is a complex subject with many issues and still limited knowledge, however, it is building up on new scientific researches and practical experience. The Ballast Water Management Convention is the global legal framework which still needs to be implemented. This book brings together a long-term and newest experience from practical work, scientific research, administration and policy involvements, offering unique insights to readers who would like to learn more about this subject. It also provides recommendations and practical solutions especially important for professionals, administrations and organizations in the process of the implementation of this Ballast Water Management Convention.

This publication provides guidance to port State control officers (PSCOs) on the conduct of inspections of foreign ships, in order to promote consistency in the way inspections are carried out worldwide, and to harmonize the criteria for deciding on deficiencies found on board relating to the ship, its equipment or its crew, as well as the application of procedures.

On a daily basis, every ship at sea, transports millions of marine organisms which have been taken onboard with ships' ballast water. The World Wildlife Fund has estimated that about 7.5 M litres of ballast water are released every hour into US waters alone with 10 Bn litres a year therefore being transferred round the world. In February 2004,