China BWM Regulation

08 April 2019 |  C19021

Effective January 22, 2019 the China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA) has enforced it’s ballast water regulation for all foreign-flagged vessels entering Chinese waters.

NOTICE TO
Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators | Surveyors / Auditors

China acceded the Ballast Water Management Convention on October 22, 2018 and since January 22, 2019, the China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) has issued its national BWM Regulation published that requires all foreign-flagged vessels operating in Chinese waters to carry a ballast water record book and an international ballast water management certificate.

The Chinese BWM Regulation requires:

• the use of the same reporting form;
• the requirement to have a ballast water record book; and
• the acceptance of IMO type approved Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS).

All vessels should conduct ballast water exchange at least 200 nautical miles from the nearest land and in water at least 200 meters in depth, unless China has alternative agreement with the relevant neighboring country.

The ballast water performance standard provided in the regulation is also in line with the requirements of the Convention as to the number and size of viable organisms per cubic meter and milliliter of ballast water.

Ships should report to the local maritime administrations 12 hours before conducting ballast water exchange using the “Ballast Water report” annexed to the Regulation in order to ensure requirements are being met. The form has two parts: one to be completed by the ship and a second part to be completed by the receiver.

Act now

Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators entering Chinese waters should take into consideration the China BWM Regulation and above requirements.