MERCHANT SHIPPING NOTICES
8 June 2001
M.S.Notice No.13 of 2001
Subject : IMO Voluntary Guidelines
for Control and Management of ships ballast
water
The Assembly of
International Maritime Organisation(IMO) at its
20th session has adopted voluntary Guidelines for
preventing introduction of unwanted aquatic organisms and
pathogens from ships’ ballast water and sediment
discharges.(Resolution A.868(20)
This activity had been
initiated by many countries due to problems they encountered
concerning marine organisms introduced into their waters with
ballast water and associated sediments.
IMO is working towards
the development of legally binding provision on ballast water
management, together with guidelines for their effective
implementation.
In the light of problems encountered,
concerning marine organisms introduced into our waters or
transported from our water to other areas with ballast
water and associated sediment discharges the Director General of
Shipping now desires all the shipping companies to adopt procedure
for ships included in these IMO Voluntary “ Guidelines for the
control and management of ships’ ballast water to minimize the
transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens”.
Shipping
companies are advised to approach their respective Classification
Societies for assistance in implementation of such
procedures.
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