Verification of tonnage figures for BWM Convention completed – further ratifications needed

The process to verify global
tonnage figures in order to assess entry into force criteria for the Ballast
Water Management (BWM) Convention has now been completed.

Forty-seven countries have now
ratified the BWM Convention, substantially more than the 30 required, but their
combined fleets comprise 34.35 per cent of global tonnage, just under the 35
per cent required for entry into force.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim
reiterated his request to countries that have not already done so, to ratify
the BWM Convention as soon as possible in order to establish a certain date for
entry into force, which will facilitate the work to make any necessary
amendments to the BWM convention.