Guidance

MSN 1908 (M+F) Amendment 3 The merchant shipping (control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments) regulations 2022

Published 23 March 2026

Summary

The Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments) Regulations 2022 (“the Regulations”), implement the requirements of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (“BWM Convention”).

This Notice is given statutory force by the Regulations and should be read in conjunction with those Regulations and MGN 675 Amendment 2. This Notice provides the detailed technical requirements of the obligations contained in the Regulations. It covers:

• The meaning of “IOPP renewal survey” in regulation 5 of the Regulations;
• The guidelines that must be taken into account when providing ballast water reception facilities;
• The guidelines Certifying Authorities must take into account when considering whether to approve a ballast water management plan;
• The information which must be included in a ballast water management plan;
• The information which must be recorded in ballast water record books, and the operations which must be recorded;
• Further information on ballast water exchange;
• Information on commissioning testing requirements;
• The guidelines that must be taken into account when providing sediment reception facilities;
• The procedure and requirements for type approval of Ballast Water Management Systems;
• The information which must be contained in an IBWM Certificate.

This notice has been updated with the following:

• A revised section 5 on ballast water record books.

 1. Introduction

1.1 The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (“BWM Convention”) was adopted at a Diplomatic Conference held at the International Maritime Organization’s (“IMO”) Headquarters in 2004 and came into force on 8 September 2017. It sets out regulations which address the spread of invasive non-native species by ships’ ballast water and sediments.

1.2 The Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments) Regulations 2022 (“the Regulations”) came into force on 29 July 2022. They implement the BWM Convention and the Code for Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems^{[footnote 1]} (“BWMS Code”).

1.3 The purpose of this document is to provide the detailed technical requirements of the obligations contained in the Regulations.

2. The International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (IOPP) Renewal Survey

2.1 For many ships, the date by which they are required to manage ballast water through treatment is based upon the renewal date on the ships’ IOPP Certificate.^{[footnote 2]}

2.2 The “IOPP renewal survey” referred to in regulation 5 of the Regulations means the renewal survey for the ship associated with the International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate pursuant to Annex I to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL).^{[footnote 3]}

3. Ballast Water Reception Facilities

3.1 Regulation 6 provides that the Regulations do not apply to the discharge of ballast water to a reception facility of a type specified in this MSN. Specified facilities are those which have been designed taking into account the IMO’s “Guidelines for ballast water reception facilities (G5)” published in MEPC.153(55).

4. Ballast Water Management Plan

4.1 Every ship to which the Regulations apply must carry on board a ballast water management plan specific to the ship which has been approved by the flag state or, if a UK flagged ship, approved by a Certifying Authority, as detailed in regulation 9.

4.2 When considering whether to approve a ballast water management plan, Certifying Authorities must take into account the IMO’s “Guidelines for ballast water management and development of ballast water management plans (G4)” published in IMO Resolution MEPC.127(53).

4.3 In accordance with Regulation 9, the ballast water management plan must include the following:

• Safety procedures for the ship and the crew for the operation of ballast water management. A detailed description of the actions to be taken to implement the requirements of the Regulations or where a ship is not a United Kingdom ship, the Convention, including the procedures for discharge of sediments at sea and to shore,
• The procedures for coordinating ballast water management which involves discharge of any ballast water or sediments into the sea with the authorities of the State into whose waters the discharge is to take place,
• Details of the officer on board in charge of ensuring that the ballast water management plan is properly implemented, and
• The reporting requirements in regulation 31(3) and (4) (responsibilities of the owner and the master) or, where a ship is not a United Kingdom ship, Regulation E-1.7 of the BWM Convention.

5. Ballast Water Record Book

5.1 This section has been updated in line with amendments to the BWM Convention contained in IMO Resolution MEPC.383(81). These changes entered into force internationally on 1 October 2025 and are therefore a mandatory requirement from that date. These changes evolved from the previous position under which ships were not required to have on board any electronic system for capturing ballast water operations to a position under which Electronic Record Books formally became an option for ships, in both a standalone or an integrated format. If an electronic record book is used, it must be approved in line with the “Guidelines for the use of electronic record books under the Ballast Water Management Convention” (published in IMO Resolution MEPC.372(80)). This brings the use and approval of electronic record books into line with other maritime conventions.

5.2 The United Kingdom has delegated the approval of electronic record books to the Classification Societies that are authorised to act as UK Recognised Organisations (ROs). A list of UK ROs can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-authorised-recognised-organisations-ros.

5.3 Manufacturers seeking approval of their systems by the UK should directly contact one of the listed ROs, who will be able to advise on the process needed to gain approval under the UK Administration.

5.4 Regulation 10(1) requires ships to have on board a ballast water record book which contains the information specified in this MSN. The information it should contain is set out in Appendix II to the BWM Convention and this is reproduced in Schedule 1 to this MSN.

5.5 The Regulations impose a duty to fully record each operation referred to in this MSN. The operations which must be recorded are those set out in Schedule 1, in summary:

• When ballast water is taken on board from the aquatic environment (ballasting operation)
• When ballast water is discharged into the aquatic environment (deballasting operation)
• Whenever ballast water is exchanged, treated through internal circulation or treated in tank
• Uptake or discharge of ballast water from/to a port-based or reception facility
• Accidental discharge/ingress or other exceptional uptake or discharge of ballast water
• Failures and inoperabilities of the ballast water management system
• Ballast tank cleaning/flushing, removal and disposal of sediments
• Additional operational procedures and general remarks.

5.6 As set out in Appendix II to the BWM Convention, the volume of ballast water onboard should be estimated in cubic metres, and it is recognised that the accuracy of estimating volumes of ballast is left to interpretation.

5.7 Where a ship wishes to resume a period of exclusive operations within UK waters then they should follow IMO guidance BWM.2/Circ.52.

6. Ballast Water Exchange

6.1 In accordance with Regulation 5, all ships to which the Regulations apply have to meet the D2 standard.

6.2 The IMO has issued the following guidance which may apply: “Interim guidance on the application of the BWM Convention to ships operating in challenging water quality conditions” (published in IMO Resolution MEPC.387(81)) and “Guidance on contingency measures under the BWM Convention” (published in IMO Circular BWM.2/Circ.62).

6.3 As set out in Appendix II to the BWM Convention, the volume of ballast water onboard should be estimated in cubic metres and it is recognised that the accuracy of estimating volumes of ballast water is left to interpretation. Ballast water exchange in accordance with regulation 11(1) and 11(2) must take into account the IMO’s “2017 Guidelines for ballast water exchange (G6)” published in IMO Resolution MEPC.288(71).

7. Ballast Water Exchange and Treatment within the North Sea

7.2 The Secretary of State may designate areas of sea in which ships may conduct ballast water exchange (regulation 11). These areas will be designated in accordance with the IMO’s “Guidelines on designation of areas for ballast water exchange (G14)” published in IMO Resolution MEPC.151(55).

7.2 Please note that the North Sea Ballast Water Exchange Area terminated on 8 September 2024 as per BWM.2/Circ.56.

7.3 Relevant member states established the Intra North Sea Contingency Area in June 2025 for the purpose of ballast water exchange and treatment in accordance with BWM.2/Circ.62 and Resolution MEPC.387(81). Details regarding the use of the Contingency Area can be found here: https://www.ospar.org/work-areas/eiha/shipping/ballast-and-biofouling.

7.4 Operators are advised to contact relevant Port States to ensure compliance with local and national legislation. For further information please email environment@mcga.gov.uk.

7.5 Same location (Regulation 6(1)(d)(ii) and 6(2)) may assist in situations of challenging water where ballast water exchange is normally used if the ship can meet the requirements of same location.

8. International Ballast Water Management Certificate (IBWM Certificate)

8.1 The information that must be contained in the IBWM Certificate is shown in Schedule 2 of this MSN.

9. Commissioning Testing Requirements

9.1 The purpose of commissioning testing is to validate the installation of a ballast water management system (BWMS) by demonstrating that its mechanical, physical, chemical and biological processes are working properly.

9.2 Commissioning testing must be undertaken following the installation of a BWMS on board a ship. This will be confirmed during initial or additional surveys as provided for in regulations 26 and 32.

9.3 Commissioning testing must take into account the IMO’s “Guidance for the commissioning testing of ballast water management systems” (BWM.2/Circ.70/Rev.1).

10. Exemptions

10.1 The UK is accepting exemption applications.

10.2 As provided for in regulation 7 of the Regulations, a ship can apply for an exemption providing it meets the necessary criteria.

10.3 Ships wishing to apply for an exemption in UK waters or UK controlled waters should follow the approach detailed in the Joint Harmonised Procedure for the Contracting Parties of HELCOM and OSPAR on the granting of exemptions under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, Regulation A-4 (OSPAR Agreement 2015-01). This takes into account the IMO’s “Guidelines for risk assessment under regulation A-4 of the BWM Convention (G7)” published in IMO Resolution MEPC.289(71) and consolidates it into one process to ensure uniformity across the relevant member states. This document can be accessed here; https://www.ospar.org/documents?v=44007.

10.4 This sets out a common risk assessment and monitoring approach for the granting of exemptions to ships under the BWM Convention, with the aim of minimising the risk to the environment.

10.5 Ships wishing to apply for an exemption in UK waters or UK controlled waters should contact the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) via email to environment@mcga.gov.uk for details regarding the application process.

10.6 The particulars of any exemption granted to a ship must be recorded in the ballast water record book (regulation 7(5)).

11. Sediment Reception Facilities

11.1 Sediment Reception Facilities which are required by regulation 14 must be designated and operated in accordance with the IMO’s “Guidelines for Sediment Reception Facilities (G1)” published in IMO Resolution MEPC.152(55).

12. Ballast Water Management Systems Type Approval Requirements

Scope of Approval

12.1 BWMS are within the scope of the Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2025 and require approval by the MCA as the Flag Administration for UK ships. Pursuant to MSN 1874 amendment 11, BWMS installed on UK ships must be type approved by the UK Nominated Bodies to whom the MCA has delegated responsibility for this.

Requirements for Equipment

12.2 BWMS installed on a UK ship must hold a valid BWMS Type Approval Certificate issued by a Nominated Body at the time when that equipment is installed.

12.3 BWMS which are installed on board a ship during the period of validity of a relevant BWMS Type Approval Certificate do not need to be renewed or replaced due to the expiration of the Certificate. However, if the system does not need to be replaced then it must be replaced with a system for which a current Type Approval Certificate is in force.

13. Further Information

13.1 Additional guidance relating to the UK implementation of the BWM Convention is available in MGN 675 Amendment 2.

More information

Clean Ship Operations
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/23
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Telephone: +44 (0)203 81 85139

Email: environment@mcga.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/mca

1. This Code was published as Annex 5 to IMO Resolution MEPC.300(72) adopted on 13 April 2018. IMO Resolutions are available from the IMO Library of 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR. ↩

2. The exceptions are vessels which are constructed on or after 8 September 2017 which may only undertake treatment, and ships which are not subject to an IOPP renewal survey, which may undertake exchange or treatment until 8 September 2024, after which they may only undertake treatment. ↩

3. MARPOL was published in Cmnd. 5748, and amended by the Protocols of 1978 (Cmnd. 7347) and 1997 (Cm. 4427). Hard copies of the Command Papers are available for inspection free of charge but by appointment at the Parliamentary Archives, Houses of Parliament, London SW1A 0PW. The Parliamentary Archives catalogue numbers are as follows: HL/PO/JO/10/11/1853/505 (Cmnd. 5748), HL/PO/JO/10/11/1959/2033 (Cmnd. 7347) and HL/PO/JO/10/11/3156/2285 (Cm. 4427). MARPOL is available from IMO Publishing, 4 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7SR. Annex I was revised and replaced by IMO Resolution MEPC.117(52). It is further amended and supplemented by a number of IMO Resolutions which are available from the IMO Library of 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR. ↩