3.1 These Guidelines are intended for port States
considering and intending to designate areas for ballast water exchange
in accordance with Regulation B-4.2. Regulation B-4.2 states that "in sea areas
where the distance from the nearest land or the depth does not meet
the parameters described in paragraph 1.1 or 1.2, the port State may
designate areas, in consultation with adjacent or other States, as
appropriate, where a ship may conduct Ballast Water exchange".