Two training workshops on sampling and analysing ballast water were organized in Gebze, Turkey (2-4 June), and Duluth, USA (19-21 October).  Attending the workshops were Port State Control officers and marine biologists representing the Lead Partnering Countries (LPCs) of the GEF-UNDP-IMO GloBallast Partnerships Programme (GloBallast). The training focused on shipboard sampling followed by practical laboratory analysis of the sampled ballast water. It aims to equip participants with the skills to replicate the training at a national level.

All stakeholders involved in the testing, approval, fitting and operation of ballast water management systems (BWMS) are being invited to complete online surveys, as a part of an IMO study to assess the implementation of the BWMS approval guidelines and the performance of type-approved systems. The study is being carried out by the IMO Secretariat in partnership with the World Maritime University (WMU) and its outcome will be reported to MEPC 69 in spring 2016.

The study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the technical standards and approval testing procedures in the Guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8), initiated by IMOs Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) at its 67th session in October 2014. The intention is to address concerns that the testing regime for approval of BWMS needs to be sufficiently robust and consistent, so that approved systems will meet the standards set out in the BWM Convention.

The surveys can be accessed from this site and will remain open until 1 June 2015. The following are invited to participate: Administrations and associated agencies; test facilities, organizations and independent experts; BWMS developers, manufacturers and vendors; classification societies; ship owners and operators; flag State and port State control inspectors; and other relevant experts, consultants or organizations.

EBRD, in collaboration with Royal HaskoningDHV and in partnership with GloBallast, have developed specific material for BWM Infrastructure Investment, including a guidance document , a poster and a presentation.  The publications provide guidance to investment teams on BWM infrastructure and its assessment for potential inclusion in a broader financial product and assist investment teams to identify and appraise practical and viable BWM implementation measures to be incorporated into an overall Financial Investment Decision (FID).