- Over 30% of ballast water treatment systems fail Port State Control inspections despite 95% passing initial commissioning tests.
- Poor maintenance, inadequate record-keeping, and insufficient crew training are the main reasons for non-compliance.
- New record-keeping requirements take effect on February 1, 2025, with further amendments to the BWM Convention expected by 2026.
Recent findings presented by Global TestNet to the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82) in October 2024 reveal that over 30% of installed ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) fail Port State Control D-2 compliance inspections, reports Seaborne Communications.
This is despite 95% passing initial commissioning tests. Specifically, between 29% and 44% of operational systems fail to effectively remove invasive species larger than 50µm, with treated water samples exceeding the regulatory limit of 100 such organisms per cubic meter.
Stricter enforcement of Ballast Water Management Convention
The D-2 standard of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, fully enforced since September 8, 2024, requires ships to discharge ballast water containing fewer than 10 viable organisms per cubic meter for sizes above 50µm. However, alarming reports indicate that in some cases, discharged water contains more organisms than the original intake water, pointing to ineffective treatment and compliance issues.
Key causes of non-compliance
The primary factors contributing to non-compliance include:
- Contamination from mixing treated and untreated waters
- Incorrect valve operations
- Organism regrowth due to inadequate ballast tank cleaning
- Human errors arising from insufficient system knowledge, maintenance, and crew training
Charlène Ceresola, Ballast Water Treatment Project Manager at BIO-UV Group and a member of the French Delegation to the IMO Ballast Water Review Group, emphasized that type-approved BWTS and successful commissioning tests alone do not guarantee compliance. Even with a 99.9% efficacy rate in removing organisms, tank contamination and operational mistakes can lead to failures.
Port state control data and ship detentions
Data from the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control shows that in 2023:
- 58% of the 907 reported ballast water non-compliance deficiencies were due to inadequate record-keeping and administration.
- 16% were attributed to BWTS system issues and crew unfamiliarity.
- 16.9% stemmed from certification problems, resulting in 33 ship detentions.
In 2024, 505 deficiencies have been reported, leading to 17 detentions.
IMO’s response and upcoming regulations
To address compliance issues, the International Maritime Organization has updated Appendix II of the BWM Convention, clarifying ballast water record-keeping requirements effective February 1, 2025. Ship operators are encouraged to follow these new guidelines to avoid port delays and detentions.
Ceresola stressed the necessity for better maintenance practices and crew training, noting that shipowners aim to keep BWTS operational but often struggle after manufacturers disengage. Routine compliance checks are essential to prevent the discharge of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens.
Future amendments to the BWM Convention
The IMO’s Convention Review Plan for the BWMS experience-building phase seeks to address 13 priority issues identified at MEPC 80. These include BWTS maintenance, crew training, and handling challenging water conditions. The proposed amendments are set for completion by the end of 2026, with implementation expected 12 to 18 months thereafter.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Seaborne Communications
