From January 1, 2012, all ships should exchange ballast water
With effect from January 1, 2012, all ships should exchange ballast water before entering the Mediterranean Sea or after leaving the Mediterranean Sea to meet the regulation D-1 standard of the Ballast Water Convention. Exchange should be carried out at least 200 nautical miles from land and in waters at least 200 metres deep. The sequential, flow through or dilution methods of ballast water exchange are accepted as meeting the D-1 standard.
In situations where this is not possible (because the ship will have to deviate from its intended voyage; because exchange will delay the ship; or for safety reasons) exchange should be undertaken before entering the Mediterranean Sea area, or after leaving the Mediterranean Sea area, as far from the nearest land as possible, and in all cases in waters at least 50 nautical miles from the nearest land and at least 200 metres deep.
When engaged in traffic between the ports and areas listed below, ships should undertake ballast water exchange in waters at least 50 nautical miles from the nearest land and at least 200 metres deep or in an area designated by a port State:
1. ports located within the Mediterranean Sea area; or
2. a port located in the Black Sea area and a port located in the Red Sea area; or
3. a port located in the Black Sea and a port located in the Mediterranean Sea area; or
4. a port located in the Red Sea area and a port located in the Mediterranean Sea area.
Areas where ballast may be exchanged within the Mediterranean Sea area, 50 nautical miles from the nearest land and in waters at least 200 metres deep, are shown in green on the map here.
Sediments collected during cleaning or repair of ballast tanks should be delivered to sediment reception facilities or be discharged to sea beyond 200 nautical miles from the nearest coastline when the ship is sailing in the
Mediterranean Sea area.
Each vessel calling at a port within the Mediterranean Sea area is required to have on board a Ballast Water Management Plan complying with requirements of the International Maritime Organization’s Guidelines for Ballast Water Management and Development of Ballast water Management (Resolution MEPC.127(53)) and to keep a record of all ballast water operations and any reasons why ballast water exchange was not carried out.
Source: Lloyd’s Register
