Ballast water management is a significant issue for the shipping industry. Many ships, including cruise ships and bulk carriers, can use a large amount of ballast water and this is often taken on in the coastal waters of one region and discharged at its next port. Ballast water can contain aquatic organisms or pathogens which may be harmful to a country’s marine environment if not managed appropriately.
A number of government and non-government organisations involved in shipping services have been invited to the National Training Workshop on Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement of the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC), which will be held over two days from 24-25 February in Port Moresby.
The workshop will be presented by representatives from AMSA and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP). It is held under the framework of the Regional Strategy on Shipping Related Invasive Marine Pests in the Pacific Islands and the activities of the IMO/SPREP Pacific Ocean Pollution Prevention Programme (PACPOL) and the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloBallast Partnerships Project.
AMSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Graham Peachey, said the workshop aimed to increase participant’s knowledge about the Ballast Water Management Convention and help protect Australia and its’ neighbours from harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens introduced in ships’ ballast water.
“This workshop will provide practical information on enforcing ballast water management requirements. This includes Flag and Port State responsibilities, the role of Port State control in verifying compliance with the BWMC; and the legislative framework to support the Ballast Water Management Convention including the use of sanctions for non-compliance,” Mr Peachey said.
“These types of workshops are important to protect our unique marine environments and reduce incursions of harmful aquatic organisms in port or coastal areas.
“AMSA is pleased to be involved in these workshops and work with our neighbours on effective ballast water management,” Mr Peachey said.
Mr Peachey said AMSA had been involved in previous workshops on the Ballast Water Management Convention held in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu last year. A total of 53 participants attended these workshops.
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