According to industry sources, 2012 will be the year that the Ballast Water Convention (BWM) will see ratification by IMO. Today, the total number of contracting Parties to the BWM Convention has reached 36, representing 29.07% of the world tonnage after ratification by Denmark (35% will be needed for the Convention to enter into force).
Zamakona Yards hopes that more countries will ratify the convention. When that decisive moment occurs, the company will be prepared to assist its customers with supplies and repair services.
In September 12th, IMO Secretary General – Koji Sekimizu urged a decisive action on ballast water. Eight years has passed since the Convention´s adoption.
While ballast water is essential for safe and efficient modern shipping operations, it may pose serious ecological, economic and health problems due to the multitude of marine species carried in ships’ ballast water. These include bacteria, microbes, small invertebrates, eggs, cysts and larvae of various species. The transferred species may survive to establish a reproductive population in the host environment, becoming invasive, out-competing native species and multiplying into pest proportions.
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Press Release, November 02, 2012; Image: zamakonayards