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

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.

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