Amendments to Ballast Water Record-Keeping Requirements

This document is a regulatory news report detailing essential changes to ballast water record-keeping as mandated by the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention). It outlines recent amendments to the Ballast Water Record Book (BWRB) requirements, emphasizing compliance and environmental protection. The report describes the new form of the BWRB adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) and the timeline for implementation. It also presents guidance on ballast water record-keeping and reporting, which includes standardized formats and instructions for record storage. The document further explains the guidelines for the use of electronic BWRBs, detailing system specifications and requirements for compliance with the BWM Convention. Additionally, it highlights new requirements for electronic BWRBs that will take effect in 2025, including the need for timely verification of entries by the ship's master. Recommended actions for shipowners to ensure compliance are also included.