The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has issued the rule with regard to obligation of installation of ballast water management system for the vessels engaged in U.S. waters. The rule is entitled as "Standards for Living Organisms in Ship's Ballast Water Discharged in U.S. Waters", Vol.77, Federal Register Reg.17254, on 23 March 2012 (Hereinafter referred to as "BWDS"). BWDS will become effective on 21 June 2012 after 90 days of issuance of this rule.

BWDS is contained in revised 33 CFR Part 151 Subpart C and D (Regulations for ballast water control and management requirements) and 46 CFR Part 162 Subpart 162.060 (Regulations for ballast water management system). Rule requirements of ballast water performance standard are the same as Regulation D-2 of "International Convention for The Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments" (Hereinafter referred to as "the Convention").

BWDS is applied to all merchant vessels equipped with ballast tanks that, after operating on the waters beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone during any part of its voyage, enter U.S. waters.
With regard to the implementation schedule, please refer to the following table.