Developing Ballast Water Regulations

Presentation by Gerard McDonald to the 9th Asia-Pacific

Heads Of Maritime Safety Agencies Forum

April 2006

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Actions to date:• 1989: Transport Canada introduced Voluntary Guidelines for

Ballast Water Exchange for ships headed to the Great Lakes• 1991: International Maritime Organization introduced

Guidelines • 1997: Port of Vancouver introduced ballast water regulations• 1998/99: Canadian Marine Advisory Council national and

regional working groups formed• 2000: National Ballast Water Management Guidelines

introduced• 2004: International Convention for the Control and

Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments finalized by the IMO

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New Regulations

IMO Resolution A.868(20) IMO Ballast Water

Convention

Existing Canadian Guidelines

Scientific advice

U.S. Regulations

Public consultations

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Proposed Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations

• The regulations include the following provisions:– Require ballast exchange at sea > 200 nm– Permit exchange at sea > 50 nm when > 200 not possible– Require residual ballast to be managed if it is to be mixed

with local waters and discharged– Establish alternate exchange zones for the east coast, west

coast and Arctic– Establish exchange procedures for ships on transoceanic

and coastal voyages– Require ballast salinity to be at least 30 ppt

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Proposed Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations

• Regulatory Provisions (continued)– Accept ships that meet the IMO Ballast Water Convention

performance standard– Require sediments to be disposed of properly– Require ships to carry a Ballast Water Management Plan– Require ships to give 96 hours notice if unable to comply– Require ships to implement measures determined by

Transport Canada if unable to comply– Require ships to submit a Ballast Water Reporting Form

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Looking to the Future• Consider incorporation of all the provisions of the

IMO International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004

• Address domestic traffic• Develop treatment

technologies

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Conclusion• Our Regulations are not the final solution to the

issue • The Guidelines and Regulations do provide

sound first steps towards addressing the issue