BWM Convention ratification unconfirmed

Forty-seven countries have now ratified that convention, despite this being over the 30 countries required it is still being calculated as to whether the parties hold the required 35% of the world’s tonnage.

The 2015 assessment tonnages, released to IMO’s Member States on 16 December, contained unverified data but also revealed that the conditions for entry into force may have been met by a very small margin.

IMO was aware that between June and November last year some parties involved gained tonnage and others lost tonnage.

Koji Sekimizu, IMO secretary general, therefore requested a complete verification of tonnage data for the time of the deposits by Morocco, Indonesia and Ghana to determine whether the BWM Convention has met the entry into force requirements or not.

Mr Sekimizu has urged countries with large merchant fleets, who have not yet done so, to ratify the BWM Convention so that it is widely accepted upon entry into force.

He also called on the shipping industry to take action to install necessary equipment and establish operational procedures in accordance with IMO regulations and standards, so that the BWM Convention can be effectively implemented when requirements are met.

The Convention will enter into force twelve months after the tonnage requirement has been met.