Introduction to the outcomes of MEPC 71 Full-text PDF:TEC- 1133 (1572kb) Contact:External Affairs Department Issued:5 Oct 2017 A summary of the decision taken at the seventieth session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 71) held from 3 to 7 July 2017 is provided as below for your information. 1. Ballast Water Management Convention Ballast Water Management Convention was adopted in 2004 in order to prevent the adverse effects to the marine environment caused by the transfer of ballast water. The Convention requires ships to conduct ballast water exchange offshore (Regulation D-1) or through Ballast Water Management Systems which meet the standard for the discharge of ballast water (Regulation D-2). The Convention entered into force on 8 September 2017 since Finland has ratified the Convention on 8 September 2016 and the conditions for entry into force been sat