Ballast water management (BWM)
Ballast water management came into effect in New Zealand on the 8th of September 2017.
Ballast water management applies to all New Zealand commercial and recreational vessels that:
- have the ability to carry non-permanent ballast water, and
- are undertaking international voyages
An international voyage includes a voyage between two ports in another country.
Does BWM apply to your vessel?
Does your vessel have the ability to carry non-permanent ballast water?
Is your vessel going to undertake a voyage that starts or ends in a foreign port?
What activity is the vessel used for?
Is the vessel’s length <50m?
Is the vessel’s ballast water capacity ≤8m3?
Is the vessel <400GT?
Is the vessel in class?
Is the vessel <400GT?
Is the vessel in class?
Your vessel must meet ballast water management requirements.
Part of the requirements will require survey of your vessel. Your vessel can be surveyed by either:
- an MNZ recognised surveyor for the purposes of unlimited operations
- a Part 300 recognised surveyor
- a Recognised Organisation
For all BWM requirements, refer to the guidelines and application forms below.
Ballast water management guidelines[PDF: 1.67Mb, 45 pages] Ballast water management approval form[PDF: 289kb, 8 pages] Ballast water management plan approval form[PDF: 242kb, 8 pages]
Your vessel must meet ballast water management requirements.
Part of the requirements will require survey of your vessel. Your vessel can only be surveyed by a Recognised Organisation
For all BWM requirements, refer to the guidelines and application forms below.
Ballast water management guidelines[PDF: 1.67Mb, 45 pages] Ballast water management approval form[PDF: 289kb, 8 pages] Ballast water management plan approval form[PDF: 242kb, 8 pages]
Your vessel must meet ballast water management requirements.
Part of the requirements will require survey of your vessel. Your vessel can be surveyed by either:
- a Part 300 recognised surveyor
- a Recognised Organisation
For all BWM requirements, refer to the guidelines and application forms below.
Ballast water management guidelines[PDF: 1.67Mb, 45 pages] Ballast water management approval form[PDF: 289kb, 8 pages] Ballast water management plan approval form[PDF: 242kb, 8 pages]
Please review the Directors guidelines
Your options are either:
- elect to comply with only section 1 of the Directors guidelines; or
- elect to comply with only section 1 and 2 of the Directors guidelines; or
- meet the requirements for a commercial vessel of the relevant size.
If you elect to follow only section 1 of the Directors Guidelines you will have no documentation for port state control.
If you elect to follow sections 1 and 2 of the Directors Guidelines you will have limited documentation for port state control and this may result in more detailed inspections.
If you elect to meet the requirements for a commercial vessel of the relevant size, you will be fully surveyed and certified for the purposes of ballast water management. To find out more about these requirements, change your answer at question 1 above to commercial and follow the prompts.
For all BWM requirements, refer to the guidelines and application forms below.
Director’s guidelines for ballast water management equivalent compliance[PDF: 230kb, 6 pages] Ballast water management equivalent compliance form[PDF: 206kb, 5 pages]
Ballast water management requirements do not apply to your vessel
Exemptions
In very limited circumstances, your vessel may be granted an exemption for meeting ballast water management requirements if you have received an exemption from the coastal state to which you are travelling.
BWM guidelines
Read this for more help on managing BWM requirements for your vessel.
Ballast water management guidelines
[PDF: 1.67Mb, 45 pages]