The use of ballast water on a ship is required for safe and efficient operations, but aquatic invasive species (AIS) that are contained in ballast water can be detrimental to the maritime environment. BWM requirements can be very complicated and violations can waste company resources from resulting fines and vessel delays.

This training course provides an overview of the various invasive species that have caused damage throughout the world and the details the efforts by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reduce the spread of AIS.

The general objective of this course, divided in 2 sessions, is to provide an overview of

• the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention and
• U.S. ballast water regulatory requirements and enforcement programs, ballast water management practices and recordkeeping requirements and information on ballast water Management systems.

Port State Control Officers are trained to assess a crew’s knowledge of the BW Management method used onboard, this is why this training course is important!