Ballast Water Management
Ballast water management applies to all New Zealand commercial and recreational vessels that:
- can carry non-permanent ballast water
- undertake international voyages.
An international voyage includes a voyage between two ports in another country.
Check if ballast water management applies to your vessel
Refer to section 2 “Which ships are affected?” in the ballast water management (BWM) guidelines for a quick guide to whether BWM applies to your vessel.
Fishing vessels and ballast water management
BWM also applies to fishing vessels that use refrigerated sea water (RSW) tanks or non-dedicated ballast water tanks for stability when on non-fishing international voyages.
Compliance for one-off international voyages
If you are planning a one-off international voyage, check what you need to do to comply.
What to do if your treatment system fails – contingency measures
If you are unable to manage your ballast water in line with your BWM plan to meet the D-2 standard, check what you need to do.
Exemptions
In very limited circumstances, Maritime NZ may recognise that your vessel is exempt from meeting ballast water management requirements if you have received an exemption from the coastal state you are travelling to, or whose waters you will be operating in for an extended period.