Clasification Society Rulefinder 2026 - Version 9.60
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Marine Environment Protection Committee - Resolution MEPC.162(56) - Guidelines for Risk Assessment Under Regulation A-4 of the BWM Convention (G7) - (Adopted on 13 July 2007) - Annex - Guidelines for Risk Assessment Under Regulation A-4 of the BWM Convention (G7) - 2 Introduction

2 Introduction

  2.1 Regulation A-4 of the Convention states that a Party or Parties, in waters under their jurisdiction may grant exemptions to any requirements to apply regulation B-3 or C-1, in addition to those exemptions contained elsewhere in the Convention, but only when they are:

  • .1 granted to a ship or ships on a voyage or voyages between specified ports or locations; or to a ship which operates exclusively between specified ports or locations;

  • .2 effective for a period of no more than five years subject to intermediate review;

  • .3 granted to ships that do not mix ballast water or sediments other than between the ports or locations specified in paragraph 2.1.1; and

  • .4 granted based on the Guidelines that have been developed by the Organization.

  2.2 These Guidelines provide advice and information regarding risk assessment principles and methods, data needs, advice on application of risk assessment methods, procedures for granting exemptions, consultation and communication processes, information for reviewing exemptions and advice regarding technical assistance, co-operation and regional co-operation.

  2.3 These Guidelines also provide advice regarding the roles of the Organization, shipping industry, port States and other States that might be affected by granting an exemption in accordance with regulation A-4 of the Convention.

  2.4 Scientifically robust risk assessment underpins the process of Parties granting exemptions under regulation A-4 of the Convention. The assessment must be sufficiently robust to distinguish between unacceptable high risk scenarios and acceptable low risk scenarios where the discharge of ballast water not meeting regulations B-3 and C-1 is unlikely to impair or damage the environment, human health, property or resources of the granting Party and of adjacent or other States.

  2.5 Risk assessments should be based on best available scientific information.

  2.6 The Guidelines should be kept under review in order to incorporate experiences gained during their application and any new scientific and technical knowledge.

Parent topic: Annex - Guidelines for Risk Assessment Under Regulation A-4 of the BWM Convention (G7)
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