New online BWM tool unveiled
A new online ballast water management tool has been developed by Helcom and Ospar Commissions to make ballast water treatment easier for shipowners.
The tool comprises a database on observations of alien species and physical features in ports, a list of target alien species, a list of all marine and alien species observed in port surveys in the region and an agreed risk assessment model.
It will allow administrations and shipowners to quickly identify routes that may qualify for exemptions to the application of ballast water management for ships (regulation B-3) and those that are unlikely to.
Helcom and Ospar say not only will the tool help protect the environment by identifying routes that could present a high risk for the transfer of alien species, it will ultimately save both the shipping industry and maritime authorities times and money by supporting the decision making process.
It has been adopted by the coastal countries of the Baltic Sea and North-East Atlantic regions as part of the joint harmonised procedure on granting exemptions from ballast water treatment provisions of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) of the IMO.
The online tool is jointly administered by the Helcom and Ospar secretariats. It has been developed with funding through the Helcom Aliens 2, Aliens 3 and Balsam projects by Helcom secretariat and Germany.
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