International Conference on Ballast Water Management was held from 9 February to 13 February 2004 at IMO Headquarters in London.

A new "International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship's Ballast Water and Sediments", which purpose is to prevent the potentially devastating effects of the spread of harmful aquatic organisms carried by ship's ballast water, has been adopted by the International Conference on Ballast Water Management.

The key points of the new International Convention are introduced as follows.

1. Entry into force (Article 18)
The Convention will enter into force twelve (12) month after ratification by thirty (30) States, representing thirty five percent (35 %) of the world merchant shipping tonnage.

2. Ballast Water Management Plan & Ballast Water Record Book (Regulations B-1 & B-2)
All ships shall have on board and implement a Ballast Water Management Plan approved by the Administration and have on board a Ballast Water Record Book.

3. Ballast Water Management for ship (Regulation B-3)
The specific requirements for ballast water management are as follows:
(1) For existing ships
- Ships constructed before 2009 with a ballast water capacity of between 1,500 and 5,000 m3 shall conduct ballast water management that at least meets the ballast water exchange standards or the ballast water performance standards until 2014, after which time it shall at least meet the ballast water performance standard.
- Ships constructed before 2009 with a ballast water capacity of less than 1,500 or greater than 5,000 m3 shall conduct ballast water management that at least meets the ballast water exchange standards or the ballast water performance standards until 2016, after which time it shall at least meet the ballast water performance standard.

(To be continued)