A new Ballast Water Convention was adopted and will enter into force when 30 States representing 35% of the world’s gross tonnage become signatory.
All ships including submersibles, floating craft/platforms, FSUs and FPSOs) are to manage their ballast water in accordance with an approved Ballast Water Management Plan and record such management in a Ballast Water Record Book in accordance with the provisions of the Convention based on the following implementation schedule:

D1 = Ballast Water Exchange (95% volumetric exchange) or pumping through three time the volume of each tank.
D2 = Ballast Water Treatment systems approved by the Administration which treat ballast water to an efficacy of:
• not more than 10 viable organisms per m3 >50 micrometers in minimum dimension, and
• not more than 10 viable organisms per millilitre < 50 micrometers in minimum dimension and >10 micrometers in minimum dimension.
Indicator Microbe concentrations shall not exceed: a) toxicogenic vibrio cholerae: 1 colony forming unit (cfu) per 100 millilitre or 1 cfu per gram of zooplankton samples; b) Escherichia coli: 250 cfu per 100 millilitre c) Intestinal Enterococci: 100 cfu per 100 millilitre
Construction Date (CD) = keel laying date; 50 tons or 1% of structural material – whichever is less; or major conversion.
Major Conversion = change of ballast capacity of 15%; change of ship type; projected life is extended by 10 years; or ballast system modification except for replacement-in-kind or modifications needed to meet ballast water exchange

Ballast Water Treatment System

Ballast Water Exchange is to take place as follows:
1) at least 200 nm from the nearest land and in 200 m water depth;
2) at least 50 nm from the nearest land and in 200 m water depth; or
3) in the event throughout the intended route the sea area does not afford the above characteristics, in a sea area designated by the port State.
All ships of 400GT and above (except floating platforms, FSUs and FPSOs) are to be surveyed (initial, annual intermediate, and renewal) and certificated (not exceeding 5 years).
States may establish additional ballast water management measures for ships to meet based on Guidelines, which remain to be developed.
The MEPC shall undertake a review of the Ballast Water Standards no later than 2006 and is to include an assessment of the technologies available that achieve the standard