Since the introduction of steel-hulled ships, water has been used as ballast to stabilize ships at sea. Ballast water is pumped in to maintain safe operating conditions throughout a voyage.

D-1 Standard: Ballast water exchange in open ocean achieving 95% volumetric replacement D-2 Standard: Treatment system performance limits for viable organisms and indicator microbes D-3 …

(1) Install and operate a ballast water management system (BWMS) that has been approved by the Coast Guard under 46 CFR part 162. The BWMS must be installed in accordance with § 151.2035 …

Aug 12, 2025 · For questions regarding BW management, please contact the USCG Ballast Water Management Program.

To reduce the spread of invasive organisms and pathogens, a number of international, national and regional authorities have enacted regulations for the management of ballast water on vessels …

International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, IMO, BWM/CONF/36, 2004, Link. Guidance for the Commissioning Testing of Ballast Water …

Nov 4, 2025 · To mitigate the transfer of organisms, ships are now required to employ Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) to treat the water before discharge. Most systems utilize a two …

Shipowners, designers, builders and operators rely on ABS to understand international ballast water regulations and assist in the installation and proper operation of ballast water management …

These FAQs are intended to raise awareness regarding key aspects of the BWM Convention (as well as relevant United States requirements) and assist in achieving compliance.

The Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP) is the document that details the procedure for the discharge of ballast water and the handling of sediment in accordance with regulation D-2 …