Updated record-keeping and reporting process under the BWM Convention
Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) notifies its partners and clients that the amendments to the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (the BWM Convention) entered into force on 1 February 2025.
The amendments, adopted by resolution MEPC.369(80), were developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in response to an influx of negative feedback on the ballast water reporting process identified by Port State Control Officers during ship inspections. New requirements make significant changes to the format of the Ballast Water Record Book (BWRB), adding clearer fields and specifying situations and the extent of data that should be reported.
As of 1 February 2025, ships subject to the BWM Convention must keep on board and maintain the updated Record Book that may be an electronic record book, or that may be integrated into another record book or system.
Instructions on how to complete individual fields of BWRB are provided in the 2024 Guidance on Ballast Water Record-Keeping and Reporting (BWM.2/Circ.80/Rev.1).
Please note that in accordance with Regulation B-2.2 of the BWM Convention, a BWRB shall be maintained on board a ship for a minimum period of two years after the last entry has been made and thereafter in the company's control for at least three years.
In addition, please be advised that amendments to Regulations A-1 and B-2 of the BWM Convention (resolution MEPC.383(81)) - will enter into force on 1 October 2025. The amendments require the Ballast Water Record Book, if maintained electronically, to be approved by the Administration or a recognized organization-taking into account additional guidelines or recommendations, if any, from the Flag State, as well as provisions of the IMO guidance for the use of electronic record books under the BWM Convention (MEPC resolution 372(80)).Additional information:
Founded in 1913, Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) is a world-renowned classification society that operates within all spheres of the maritime industry with the goal of improving the operational and environmental safety of marine transportation. RS reviews technical documentation, surveys ships and offshore facilities under construction and in service, certifies vessels and companies for compliance with international conventions, recognizes and certifies industrial products and manufacturers, certifies quality management systems for compliance with international and national standards.
Today, RS is actively implementing the concept "More than class" by expanding its scope of services in the field of engineering and consulting, the development of technical documentation for vessels in service, marine warranty surveys and certification. In addition, RS surveys all container types, including tank containers and offshore containers, confirms compliance of packaging for dangerous goods, as well as renders services on the declaration and certification of dangerous goods and bulk cargoes.