BWM Convention, the current state
As of 31 July 2013, 37 countries had signed, but they only represent in total around 30% of world gross tonnage. The convention is scheduled to enter into force 12 months after the necessary figures have been reached.
On the other hand, IMO agreed that all ships over 400gt should have ballast water management systems fitted by 2016. So as this compliance date is virtually certain to pass before IMO ratification, it looks as if the Convention will be applied retrospectively. The industry hopes for further clarification following the IMO Assembly.
The required tonnage could be reached by only one or two more major flag states signing up; a number of significant shipping nations have yet to agree the Convention. Those flag states that have signed so far are (in alphabetical order): Albania, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Cook Islands, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Kenya, Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall lslands, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Palau, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Tuvalu.
