IMO Tonnage Verification for BWM Convention Confirms More Ratifications Needed

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday February 11, 2016

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Wednesday announced that a tonnage verification process has been completed, providing official confirmation that the criteria still has not been met for the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention to enter into force.

Short of the 35 percent required for entry into force, the 47 countries that have now ratified the convention are said to have combined fleets that account for 34.35 percent of global tonnage, lower than the previously expected 34.56 percent.

As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, it was thought that Indonesia's November 2015 ratification of the BWM Convention would be enough for it to enter into force.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim is said to have reiterated his request that countries that have not already ratified the BWM Convention do so as soon as possible.

Confirmation that the tonnage requirement has been met will allow for certain date for entry into force to be set and enable work to be completed on any required amendments to the BWM convention, says the IMO.

In January, Ship & Bunker reported that Panama has begun the process of accession for both the BWM Convention and Hong Kong Convention, which aims to ensure the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships.