Publishing control and Management of Vessels Ballast Water

Publishing control and Management of Vessels Ballast Water and Sediments Rules 2026 under Merchant Shipping Act 2025

The Gazette of India

CG-DL-E-13082026-275428

EXTRAORDINARY

PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

No. 650] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026/SHRAVAN 16, 1948

MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 5th August, 2026

G.S.R.714(E). – In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clauses (a), (c), (e), (g), (h), (i), (j), (l) and (m) of sub-section (2) of section 143 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025), the Central Government, hereby makes the following rules, namely:–

Short title and commencement.– (1) These rules may be called the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Vessels’ Ballast Water and Sediments) Rules, 2026.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of accession of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004, by India.

– (1) The provisions of these rules shall apply in accordance with the provisions of section 131 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.

(2) These rules shall not apply to –

vessels not designed or constructed to carry ballast water;
vessels which only operate in coastal waters, unless the Director-General determines that the discharge of ballast water from such vessels would impair or damage India’s environment, human health, property or resources, or those of adjacent or other States;
Indian vessels which operate only in the high seas unless the Director-General determines that the discharge of ballast water from such vessels would impair or damage India’s environment, human health, property or resources, or those of adjacent or other States;
permanent ballast water in sealed tanks on vessels, that is not subject to

Definitions.– (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, —
- “Act” means the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025);
- “active substance” means a substance or chemical or organism, including a virus or a fungus that has a general or specific action on or against harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens;
- “administration”, with respect to a vessel entitled to fly a flag of another State, means the Government of that State and with respect to fixed or floating platforms engaged in exploration and exploitation of the seabed and sub-soil thereof adjacent to the coast over which the coastal State exercises sovereign rights for the purposes of exploration and exploitation of its natural resources, including Floating Storage Units and Floating Production Storage and Offloading Units, means the Government of the coastal State concerned;
- “anniversary date” means the day and the month of each year corresponding to the date of expiry of the Certificate;
- “ballast water” means water with its suspended matter taken on board a vessel to control trim, list, draught, stability or stresses of the vessel;
- “ballast water capacity” means the total volumetric capacity of any tanks, spaces or compartments on a vessel used for carrying, loading or discharging ballast water, including any multi-use tank, space or compartment designed to allow carriage of ballast water;
- “ballast water management” means mechanical, physical, chemical and biological processes, either singularly or in combination, to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens within ballast water and sediments;
- “BWMS Code” means the Code for Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems adopted by resolution of the Marine Environment Protection Committee 300(72), as may be amended by the Organisation, provided that such amendments are adopted and brought into force in accordance with article 19 of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship’s Ballast Water and Sediments 2004, as amended;
- “Certificate” means the International Ballast Water Management Certificate or, the Indian Ballast Water Management Certificate, as the case may be;
- “constructed” in respect of a vessel means a stage of construction where:
  - the keel is laid; or
  - construction identifiable with the specific vessel begins; or
  - assembly of the vessel has commenced comprising at least 50 tonnes or one per of the estimated mass of all structural material, whichever is less; or
  - the vessel undergoes a major conversion;
- “Convention” means International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship’s Ballast Water and Sediments 2004, as amended;

“harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens” means aquatic organisms or pathogens which, if introduced into the sea including estuaries, or into fresh water sources, may create hazards to the environment, human health, property or resources, impair biological diversity or interfere with other legitimate uses of such areas;
“nearest land” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Convention, including the special baseline off the north-eastern coast of Australia;
“Organisation” means the International Maritime Organisation;
“recognised organisation” means a classification society or other body recognised under section 9 of the Act for the purpose of performing statutory surveys, audits, inspections, approvals and certification functions on behalf of the Central Government;
“sediments” means matter settled out of ballast water within a vessel;
“Schedule” means the Schedule annexed to these rules containing the requirements of the Convention, as amended from time to time.

Words and expressions used in these rules and not defined but defined in the Act shall have meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.
Words and expressions used in these rules and not defined either herein or in the Act, but defined in the Convention, shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Convention.

General requirements for – (1) Unless otherwise expressly provided, the discharge of ballast water shall only be conducted through ballast water management in accordance with the provisions of the First Schedule.

(2) Where a vessel is required to store treated waste water or grey water in ballast tanks, it shall comply with the directions issued by the Director-General under the provisions contained in the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Vessels) Rules, 2026.

Exceptions.– The requirements of paragraph 3 of the First Schedule to these rules shall not apply to–
- the uptake or discharge of ballast water and sediments necessary for the purpose of ensuring the safety of a vessel in emergency situations or saving life at sea; or
- the accidental discharge or ingress of ballast water and sediments resulting from damage to a vessel or its equipment:

Provided that–

all reasonable precautions have been taken before and after the occurrence of the damage or discovery of the damage or discharge for the purpose of preventing or minimising the discharge; and
the owner, company or officer in charge has not willfully or recklessly caused the damage; or

the uptake and discharge of ballast water and sediments when being used for the purpose of avoiding or minimising pollution incidents from the vessel; or
the uptake and subsequent discharge on the high seas of the same ballast water and sediments; or
the discharge of ballast water and sediments from a vessel at the same location where the whole of that ballast water and those sediments originated and provided that no mixing with unmanaged ballast water and sediments from other areas has occurred; or
the ballast water taken from other areas is subject to ballast water management in accordance with these rules, if mixing has occurred.

Exemptions. – (1) The Director-General may grant exemptions from any requirement of paragraph 3 or 7 of the First Schedule, in addition to any other exemptions granted under these rules, provided such exemptions are–

granted to a vessel or vessels on a voyage or voyages between specified ports or locations or to a vessel which operates exclusively between specified ports or locations;
effective for a period of not more than five years, subject to intermediate review;
granted to vessels that do not mix ballast water or sediments other than between the ports or locations specified in clause (a) of this sub-rule; and
granted based on the guidelines on risk assessment developed by the

Exemptions granted under sub-rule (1) shall not be effective until such exemptions are communicated to the Organisation and the relevant information is circulated to the
Any exemptions granted under this rule shall not impair or damage the environment, human health, property or resources of an adjacent State and the Director-General may consult any other State that may be adversely affected, with a view to resolving any identified
Any exemptions granted under this rule shall be recorded in the ballast water record

Equivalent compliance. –Pleasure crafts used solely for recreation or competition or craft used primarily for search and rescue, less than fifty meters in length overall, and with a maximum ballast water capacity of eight cubic meters as may be determined by the Director-General taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organisation, shall comply with these rules.
Control of transfer ballast water and sediments of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through vessels’ ballast water and sediments. – Every vessel shall comply with the standards and requirements set forth in the First Schedule for the control and management of ballast water and sediments.
Sediment reception facilities.– (1) Every port and terminal in India where cleaning or repair of ballast tanks occurs, shall ensure the provision of adequate facilities for the reception of sediments, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organisation, and such reception facilities shall operate without causing undue delay to vessels and shall provide for the safe disposal of such sediments that does not impair or damage their environment, human health, property or resources or those of other States.

(2) The Director-General shall notify the Organisation, for transmission to the contracting governments concerned, of all cases where the facilities to be provided under sub-rule (1) are alleged to be inadequate.

– (1) Indian vessels of 400 gross tonnage and above, to which these rules apply, excluding floating platforms, Floating Storage Units and Floating Production Storage and Offloadings shall be subject to surveys as specified below in accordance with the applicable rules made under the Act dealing with survey, audit and certification, namely: –
- an initial survey before the vessel is put in service or before the Certificate required under rule 11 or rule 12 is issued for the first time and this survey shall verify that the ballast water management plan required by paragraph 1 of the First Schedule and any associated structure, equipment, systems, fitting, arrangements and material or processes comply fully with the requirements of these rules, and this survey shall confirm that a commissioning test has been conducted to validate the installation of any ballast water management system by demonstrating that its mechanical, physical, chemical and biological processes are working properly, taking into account the guidelines developed by the
- a renewal survey at intervals not exceeding five years, except where the sub-rules (2), (5), (6) or

(7) of rule 14 is applicable and this survey shall verify that the ballast water management plan required by the paragraph 1 of the First Schedule and any associated structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material or processes comply fully with the applicable requirements of these rules;

an intermediate survey within three months before or after the second anniversary date or within three months before or after the third anniversary date of the Certificate, which shall take the place of one of the annual surveys as specified in clause (d) and such survey shall ensure that the equipment, associated systems and processes for ballast water management fully comply with the applicable requirements of these rules and are in good working order and it shall be endorsed on the Certificate issued under rule 11 or rule 12;

an annual survey within three months before or after each anniversary date, including a general inspection of the structure, any equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material or processes associated with the ballast water management plan required by paragraph 1 of the First Schedule to ensure that they have been maintained in accordance with sub-rule (13) remain satisfactory for the service for which the vessel is intended and such annual surveys shall be endorsed on the Certificate issued under rule 11 or rule 12;
an additional survey either general or partial, after a change, replacement, or significant repair of the structure, equipment, systems, fittings, arrangements and material necessary to achieve full compliance with these rules and the survey shall be such as to ensure that any such change, replacement or significant repair has been effectively made, so that the vessel complies with the requirements of these rules;
when an additional survey under clause (e) is undertaken for the installation of any Ballast Water Management System, it shall be made to ensure that any such change, replacement or significant repair has been effectively made, so that the vessel complies with the requirements of these rules.
when an additional survey is undertaken under clause (e) for the installation of any Ballast Water Management System, it shall confirm that a commissioning test has been conducted to validate the installation of the system by demonstrating that its mechanical, physical, chemical and biological processes are working properly, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organisation.

Explanation.– For the purposes of this rule, the guidelines developed by the Organisation means the 2020 Guidelines for the commissioning testing of Ballast Water Management Systems (BWM.2/ Circ.70/Rev.1) as may be amended.

The surveys of vessels for the purpose of enforcement of the provisions of these rules shall be carried out by the surveyors or persons authorised under the Act.
The surveyors or authorised persons are authorised to–
- require the vessel that they survey to comply with the provisions of these rules or of the Convention; and
- carry out survey and inspections if requested by the appropriate authorities of a port State that is a party.
The Director-General shall notify the Organisation of the specific responsibilities and conditions of the authority delegated to the surveyors under sub-rule (3), if any, for circulation to parties for the information of their officers.
When the surveyor or an authorised person determines that the vessel‘s ballast water management does not conform to the particulars of the Certificate required under rule 11 or rule 12 or is such that the vessel is not fit to proceed to sea without presenting a threat of harm to the environment, human health, property or resources, such surveyor or an authorised person shall immediately ensure that corrective action is taken to bring the vessel into compliance and if an Indian vessel is in the port of another State, the appropriate authorities of the port State concerned shall be notified immediately.
Where any vessel other than Indian vessel is in an Indian port and a notification under regulation E-1.6 of the Convention regarding such vessel is received by Director-General from an officer of the administration, a nominated surveyor or recognised organisation of the vessel concerned, the Director-General shall give such officer, surveyor or recognised organisation any necessary assistance to carry out their obligations under these rules.
If the corrective action referred to in sub-rule (5) is not complied with, the Director-General shall be informed in writing by the surveyor or the recognised organisation forthwith and the International Ballast Water Management Certificate or the Indian Ballast Water Management Certificate, as the case may be, shall not be issued, and if already issued, the respective Certificate shall, by order, be withdrawn by the Director-General and in case the vessel is in the port of another party, the appropriate authorities of the port State concerned shall be notified immediately.
Upon compliance of corrective measures as suggested under sub-rule (5), an additional survey shall be undertaken in accordance with clauses (e), (f) and (g) of sub-rule (1).

Whenever an accident occurs to a vessel or a defect is discovered which substantially affects the ability of the vessel to conduct ballast water management in accordance with these rules, the owner, operator or other person in charge of the vessel shall report at the earliest opportunity to the Director General, who shall cause investigations to be initiated to determine whether a survey as required by sub-rule (1) is necessary.
In a situation specified in sub-rule (9), if an Indian vessel is in the port of another State, the owner, operator or other person in charge shall report immediately to the appropriate authorities of the port State concerned and also to the Director-General.
In every case, the Director-General shall fully guarantee the completeness and efficiency of the survey and shall undertake to ensure the necessary arrangements to satisfy this obligation.
The condition of the vessel and its equipment, systems and processes shall be maintained to conform with the provisions of these rules and of the Convention to ensure that the vessel in all respects shall remain fit to proceed to sea without presenting a threat of harm to the environment, human health, property or resources.
After any survey of the vessel under sub-rule (1) has been completed, no change shall be made in the structure, any equipment, fittings, arrangements or material associated with the ballast water management plan required by paragraph 1 of the First Schedule and covered by the survey without the sanction of the administration, except the direct replacement of such equipment or fittings.
The Director-General shall specify the appropriate measures for vessels that are not subject to the provisions of sub-rule (1) in order to ensure that these rules are complied with.

Issue or endorsement of an International Ballast Water Management Certificate or Indian Ballast Water Management Certificate.– (1) The Director-General or a recognised organisation shall require, after the successful completion of a survey in accordance with rule 10, to issue or endorse –
- International Ballast Water Management Certificate to Indian vessels referred to in sub-rule (1) of rule 10, which is of 400 gross tonnage and above and engaged in an international voyage; or
- Indian Ballast Water Management Certificate to vessels referred to in sub-rule (1) of rule 10, which is of 400 gross tonnage and above, with appropriate conditions as applicable for each type of Indian vessel and not engaged in international voyage; or
- Indian Ballast Water Management Certificate to an Indian vessel entitled to fly Indian flag which is below 400 gross tonnage, with appropriate conditions as applicable for each type of vessel and not engaged in international voyage.

(2) The Certificates issued under this rule shall be endorsed by the Director-General and shall assume full responsibility for the Certificate.

Issue or endorsement of an International Ballast Water Management Certificate for or by another administration.– (1) At the request of an administration of a foreign vessel, the Director General, may cause that vessel to be surveyed and, if satisfied, shall issue or authorise the issue of the International Ballast Water Management Certificate to that vessel and, where appropriate, endorse or authorise the endorsement of the Certificate for the vessel in accordance with the Convention.

Upon compliance with sub-rule (1), a copy of the Certificate and a copy of the survey report shall be transmitted as soon as possible to the administration concerned.
The Certificate so issued shall contain a statement that it has been issued at the request of the administration
Where the survey is to be carried out for an Indian vessel which is in the jurisdiction of an administration, the Director-General may request that administration to carry out a survey in accordance with the provisions of the Convention and issue an International Ballast Water Management Certificate, if such administration is authorised to do the same.
No Certificate shall be issued to a vessel entitled to fly the flag of a State which is not a

Form of Certificate.– The Certificate shall be issued in the Form specified in the Second

Duration and validity of the – (1) An International Ballast Water Management Certificate or an Indian Ballast Water Management Certificate may be issued by the Director-General or recognised organisation, for a period not exceeding five years.

For the purposes of renewal surveys–
- subject to the requirements of sub-rule (1), when the renewal survey is completed within three months before the expiry date of the existing Certificate, the new Certificate shall be valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to a date not exceeding five years from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate;
- when the renewal survey is completed after the expiry date of the existing Certificate, the new Certificate shall be valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to a date not exceeding five years from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate;
- when the renewal survey is completed more than three months before the expiry date of the existing Certificate, the new Certificate shall be valid from the date of completion of the renewal survey to a date not exceeding five years from the date of completion of the renewal survey.
In case a Certificate is issued for a period of less than five years, the Director-General or recognised organisation authorised by it, may extend the validity of the Certificate beyond the expiry date to a maximum period of five years:

Provided that the surveys referred to in clause (c) of sub-rule (1) of rule 10 shall be applicable when a Certificate is issued for a period of five years.

In case a renewal survey has been completed and a new Certificate cannot be issued or placed onboard the vessel before the expiry date of the existing Certificate, the surveyor authorised by the Director-General may endorse the existing Certificate and such Certificate shall be accepted as valid for a further period which shall not exceed five months from the expiry date.
If at the time when the Certificate expires, a vessel is not in a port in which it is to be surveyed or in such other cases as it deems proper and reasonable so to do, the Director-General may extend the period of validity of the Certificate:

Provided that such extension shall be granted only for the purpose of allowing the vessel to complete its voyage to the port in which it is to be surveyed and such Certificate shall not be granted for a period beyond three months:

Provided further that a vessel to which an extension is granted shall not, on its arrival in the port in which it is to be surveyed, be entitled to leave that port without having a new Certificate and such new Certificate issued after the renewal survey is completed shall be valid for a maximum period of five years from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate.

A Certificate issued to a vessel engaged on short voyages may be granted extension by the Director-General or recognised organisation, for a period of grace of up to one month from the date of expiry and when the renewal survey is completed, the new Certificate shall be valid for a period not exceeding five years from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate.
In special circumstances, as determined by the Director-General or the recognised organisation, a new Certificate shall not be dated from the date of expiry of the existing Certificate as required by clause (b) of sub-rules (2), (5) and (6) and in these special circumstances, the new Certificate shall be valid upto a date not exceeding five years from the date of completion of the renewal survey.
In case an annual or intermediate survey is completed before the period specified in rule 10, then–
- the anniversary date shown on the Certificate shall be amended by endorsement to a date which shall not be more than three months later than the date on which the survey was completed;
- the subsequent annual or intermediate survey required by rule 10 shall be completed at the intervals specified by that rule using the new anniversary date;
- the expiry date may remain unchanged provided one or more annual or intermediate surveys, as appropriate, are carried out so that the maximum intervals between the surveys specified by rule 10 are not exceeded.

A Certificate issued under rules 11 and 12 shall cease to be valid in any of the following cases, namely:–
- upon the transfer of the vessel to the flag of another State, –
  - if a request has been made by the administration to which an Indian vessel was transferred within three months from the date of transfer, the Director-General may, as soon as possible, transmit to that administration a copy of the Certificates carried by the vessel prior to the transfer and, if available, a copy of the relevant survey reports;
  - in the case of transfer of a vessel from another State, a new Certificate shall only be issued when the Director-General is fully satisfied that the vessel is in compliance with the requirements of rule 10;
- in case the relevant surveys are not completed within the periods specified under sub-rule
of rule 10; or
- in case the Certificate is not endorsed in accordance with sub-rule (1) of rule

Inspection of – (1) A vessel to which these rules apply may, in any port or offshore terminal within the jurisdiction of Central Government, be subject to inspection by the surveyor or an authorised person for the purpose of determining whether the vessel is in compliance with these rules.

Subject to the provisions contained in sub-rule (3), any inspection under sub-rule (1) shall be limited to–
- verifying that there is onboard a valid Certificate, which, if valid shall be accepted;
- inspection of the ballast water record book;
- a sampling of the vessel’s ballast water, carried out in accordance with the guidelines developed by the Organisation:

Provided that the time required to analyse the samples shall not be used as a basis for unduly delaying the operation, movement or departure of the vessel.

A detailed inspection may be carried out where a vessel does not carry a valid Certificate or there are clear grounds for believing that–
- the condition of the vessel or its equipment does not correspond substantially with the particulars of the Certificate; or
- the master or the crew are not familiar with essential vessel board procedures relating to ballast water management, or have not implemented such procedures.
In the circumstances given in sub-rule (3), the surveyor or an authorised person carrying out the inspection shall take such steps and ensure that the vessel shall not discharge ballast water until it can do so without presenting a threat of harm to the environment, human health, property or resources.

Detection of violations and control of – (1) The Director-General shall co-operate in the detection of violations and the enforcement of the provisions of the Convention or these rules.

If the sampling specified in clause (c) of sub-rule (2) of rule 15 leads to a result, or supports information received from another port or offshore terminal, indicating that the vessel poses a threat to the environment, human health, property or resources, the Director-General shall prohibit such vessel from discharging ballast water until the threat is removed.
The surveyor or an authorised person may also inspect a vessel when it enters the ports or offshore terminals under the jurisdiction of India, if a request for an investigation is received from any party or its administration, together with sufficient evidence that the vessel is operating or has operated in violation of any provision of the Convention or these rules and the report of such investigation shall be sent to the party requesting it and to the competent authority of the administration of the vessel concerned for taking appropriate action.

– (1) The fees which may be levied for survey, inspection and certification under these rules shall be as specified in the applicable rules made under the Act dealing with survey, audit and certification.

(2) The fees payable by ports and terminals to the Director-General for audit or inspection of reception facilities and scrutiny, approval and periodic review of the port waste management plan shall not be less than forty thousand rupees.

Penalties and enforcement. – (1) Any contravention of these rules or failure to comply with any requirement thereof shall be liable to penalties as specified in the Act.

Any person who operates any vessel in contravention of the provisions of these rules, and for which no specific penalty is provided under sub-section (2) of section 281 of the Act, shall be liable to penalty which may extend to fifty thousand rupees, and if the breach is a continuing one, with further penalty which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day after the first day during which the breach continues.
The imposition of any penalty under this rule shall not absolve the owner or master from the requirement of rectifying the non-compliance.

First Schedule

[See rules 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10]

Regulations for the Control and Management of Vessels’ Ballast Water and

Sediments

PART -I

MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL REQUIREMENTS FOR VESSELS

Ballast water management plan.– (1) Each vessel shall have onboard a ballast water management plan approved by the Director-General taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organisation.

The ballast water management plan shall be specific to each vessel and shall contain the following particulars, namely:–
- detailed safety procedures for the vessel and the crew associated with ballast water management as required by these rules;
- detailed description of the actions to be taken to implement the ballast water management requirements and supplemental ballast water management practices as set forth in these rules;
- detailed procedures for the disposal of sediments at sea and to shore;
- the procedures for coordinating shipboard ballast water management that involves discharge to the sea with the administrations into whose waters such discharge will take place;
- designated officer onboard in charge of ensuring that the plan is properly implemented; and
- procedure for reporting requirements for vessels provided for under these rules and the

Ballast water record book. – (1) Each vessel shall maintain onboard a ballast water record book or an electronic record system that may be integrated into another record book or system, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organisation, containing the information specified in Form-III of the Second

Explanation.– For the purposes of this paragraph, the guidelines developed by the Organisation, means the guidelines for the electronic record books under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship’s Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (resolution of the Marine Environment Protection Committee 372(80)), as may be amended.

The ballast water record book entries shall be maintained onboard the vessel for a minimum period of two years after the last entry has been made and thereafter in the company’s control for a minimum period of three years.

In the event of the discharge of ballast water pursuant to rules 5 and 6 or sub-paragraph (6) of paragraph 3 or in the event of other accidental or exceptional discharge of ballast water not otherwise exempted by these rules, an entry shall be made in the ballast water record book describing the circumstances of, and the reason for the discharge.
The ballast water record book shall be kept readily available for inspection at all reasonable times and, in the case of an unmanned vessel under tow, may be kept on the towing vessel.
Each operation concerning ballast water shall be fully recorded without delay in the ballast water record book and each entry shall be signed by the officer in charge of the operation concerned and each completed page shall be signed by the master.
The entries in the ballast water record book shall be in a working language of the vessel and if that language is not English the entries shall contain a translation into English language and when entries in an official national language of the administration whose flag the vessel is entitled to fly are also used, they shall prevail in case of a dispute or discrepancy.
The surveyor or an authorised person may board a vessel, at such reasonable time, for the purpose of inspecting the ballast water record book onboard any vessel to which these rules apply while the vessel is in its port or offshore terminal.
The surveyor or an authorised person, may make a copy of any entry of the ballast water record book and require the master to certify that the copy is a true copy.
Any such certified copy shall be admissible in any judicial proceeding as evidence of the facts stated in the entry.

Ballast water management for vessels. – (1) A vessel constructed before the year 2009,––
- with a ballast water capacity between 1,500 and 5,000 cubic meters, inclusive; or
- with a ballast water capacity of less than 1,500 or greater than 5,000 cubic meters,

shall conduct ballast water management that meets the standard specified in paragraphs 9 or 10 until the renewal survey specified in sub-paragraph (10), after which time it shall meet the standard specified in paragraph 10.

A vessel constructed in or after the year 2009 and before 8^th September, 2017 with a ballast water capacity of less than 5,000 cubic meters shall conduct ballast water management that meets the standards specified in paragraph 10, from the date of the renewal survey specified in sub-paragraph (10).
A vessel constructed in or after the year 2009, but before 2012, with a ballast water capacity of 5,000 cubic meters or more shall conduct ballast water management in accordance with sub-paragraph (2).
A vessel constructed in or after the year 2012 with a ballast water capacity of 5000 cubic meters or more shall conduct ballast water management that meets the standard specified in paragraph 10, from the date of the renewal survey specified in sub-paragraph (10).
A vessel constructed on or after 8^th September, 2017 shall conduct ballast water management that meets the standard specified in paragraph 10.
The requirements of this paragraph do not apply to vessels that discharge ballast water to a reception facility designed taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organisation for such facilities.
Other methods of ballast water management may also be accepted as alternatives to the requirements specified in sub-paragraphs (1) to (5) and (8):

Provided that such methods ensure at least the same level of protection to the environment, human health, property or resources, and are approved in principle by the Marine Environment Protection Committee.

A vessel, constructed before 8^th September, 2017 to which the renewal survey specified in sub-paragraph

(10) does not apply, shall conduct ballast water management that meets the standard specified in paragraph 10 from the date decided by the Director-General, but not later than 8^th September, 2024.

A vessel subject to sub-paragraphs (2), (4) or (8) shall be required to comply with either paragraph 9 or 10, until such time as it is required to comply with paragraph 10.
Subject to the provisions of clause (b) of sub-rule (1) of rule 10, the renewal survey referred to in clauses

(a) and (b) of sub-paragraph (1), sub-paragraph (2) and sub-paragraph (4) of this paragraph shall be conducted once in every five years in accordance with the resolution of the Marine Environment Protection Committee 298(72).

Ballast water exchange.– (1) A vessel conducting ballast water exchange to meet the standard in paragraph 9 shall––
- conduct such ballast water exchange at least 200 nautical miles from the nearest land and in water at least 200 meters in depth, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organisation;
- in cases where the vessel is unable to conduct ballast water exchange in accordance with clause (a), such ballast water exchange shall be conducted taking into account the guidelines specified therein and as far from the nearest land as possible, and in all cases at least 50 nautical miles from the nearest land and in water at least 200 meters in depth.

In sea areas where the distance from the nearest land or the depth does not meet the parameters specified in clause (a) or (b) of sub-paragraph (1), the Director-General may designate areas, in consultation with adjacent to other countries, as appropriate, where a vessel may conduct ballast water exchange, taking into account the guidelines specified in sub-paragraph (1).
A vessel shall not be required to deviate from its intended voyage, or delay the voyage, in order to comply with any particular requirement of sub-paragraph (1).
A vessel conducting ballast water exchange shall not be required to comply with sub-paragraph (1) or (2), if the master reasonably decides that such exchange would threaten the safety or stability of the vessel, its crew, or its passengers because of adverse weather, vessel design or stress, equipment failure, or any other extraordinary condition.
When a vessel is required to conduct ballast water exchange and does not do so in accordance with this paragraph, the reasons shall be entered in the ballast water record book.
In case of any deviations from the plan, the discharge of ballast water with co-ordinates of the point of discharge, quantity of discharge, water depth, wind direction and velocity should be noted in the ballast water record book.
No ballast water exchange or discharge shall be carried out in direct vicinity of any ecological sensitive areas like marine national park etc.

Sediment management for – (1) All vessels shall remove and dispose of sediments from spaces designated to carry ballast water in accordance with the provisions of the vessel’s ballast water management plan.

The vessels specified in sub-paragraphs (3) to (5) of paragraph 3 shall, without compromising safety or operational efficiency, be designed and constructed with a view to minimise the uptake and undesirable entrapment of sediments, facilitate removal of sediments, and provide safe access to allow for sediment removal and sampling, taking into account guidelines developed by the Organisation.
The vessels specified in sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 3 may, to the extent practicable, comply with this

Duties of officers and – Officers and crew shall be familiar with their duties in the implementation of ballast water management particular to the vessel on which they serve and shall, appropriate to their duties, be familiar with the vessel’s ballast water management plan.

Part – II

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS IN CERTAIN AREAS

Additional – (1) The Director-General, individually or jointly with other administrations which are party to the Convention, if determines that measures in addition to those in Part-I of this Schedule are necessary to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through

vessels’ ballast water and sediments, may specify additional standards or requirements consistent with international law.

(2) Prior to establishing standards or requirements under sub-paragraph (1), the Director- General shall consult with adjacent or other administrations that may be affected by such standards or requirements and shall follow the procedure laid down under sub-paragraphs (3) and (4).

The Director-General, while implementing additional measures in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) may–
- take into account the guidelines developed by the Organisation;
- communicate the intention to establish additional measures to the Organisation within six months, except in emergencies or epidemic situations, prior to the projected date of implementation of measures, which shall include–
  - the precise co-ordinates where the additional measures are applicable;
  - the need and reasoning for the application of the additional measures, including, whenever possible, benefits;
  - a description of the additional measures; and
  - any arrangements that may be provided to facilitate vessel’s compliance with the additional measures;
- to the extent required by customary international laws reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as appropriate, obtain the approval of the Organisation.
The Director-General, while implementing such additional measures, shall endeavor to make available all appropriate services, which may include but not limited to notification to mariners of areas, available and alternative routes or ports, as far as practicable, in order to ease the burden on the vessel.
The additional measures adopted by the Director-General shall not compromise the safety and security of the vessel and in any circumstance not in conflict with any other international instruments to which India is a party.
The Director-General may, for a specific period of time or in specific circumstances, temporarily waive the additional measures taken under sub-paragraph (1).

Warnings concerning ballast water uptake in certain areas and related flag State – (1) The Director-General shall notify mariners of areas under its jurisdiction where vessels shall not uptake ballast water due to known conditions and warnings may be issued for areas–
- known to contain outbreaks, infestations, or populations of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens (e.g., toxic algal blooms) which are likely to be of relevance to ballast water uptake or discharge;
- near sewage outfalls; or
- where tidal flushing is poor or times during which a tidal stream is known to be more

The Director-General shall notify the Organisation and any potentially affected coastal States of any area identified in sub-paragraph (1) and the time period for which such warning is likely to be in effect.
The notice to the Organisation and any potentially affected coastal States under sub-paragraph (2) shall include the precise co-ordinates of the area or areas and where possible, the location of any alternative area or areas for the uptake of ballast water.
The notice under sub-paragraph (3) shall include advice to vessels needing to uptake ballast water in the area, describing arrangements made for alternative supplies.
The Director-General shall also notify mariners, the Organisation, and any potentially affected coastal States when a given warning is no longer applicable.

Part – III

STANDARDS FOR BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT

Ballast water exchange standard.– (1) Vessels performing ballast water exchange in accordance with this paragraph shall do so with an efficiency of at least ninety-five per cent. volumetric exchange of ballast

For vessels exchanging ballast water by the pumping-through method, pumping through three times the volume of each ballast water tank shall be considered to meet the standard specified in sub-paragraph (1).
Pumping through less than three times the volume may be accepted provided the vessel can demonstrate that at least ninety-five per cent. volumetric exchange is met.

Ballast water performance standard.– (1) Vessels conducting ballast water management in accordance with this paragraph shall discharge less than 10 viable organisms per cubic metre greater than or equal to fifty micrometers in minimum dimension and less than ten viable organisms per milliliter less than fifty micrometers in minimum dimension and greater than or equal to 10 micrometers in minimum dimension, and discharge of the indicator microbes shall not exceed the specified concentrations specified in subparagraph (2).

(2) The Indicator microbes, as a human health standard, shall include–

Toxicogenic Vibrio cholerae (O1 and O139) with less than 1 colony forming unit (cfu) per 100 millilitres or less than 1 cfu per1 gram (wet weight) zooplankton samples;
Escherichia coli less than 250 cfu per 100 millilitres;
Intestinal Enterococci less than 100 cfu per 100

Approval requirements for ballast water management systems.– (1) Except as specified in subparagraph (2), ballast water management systems used to comply with these rules shall be approved by the Director-General, in the following manner, namely: –
- ballast water management systems installed on or after 28^th October, 2020 shall be approved in accordance with the BWMS Code, as may be amended; and
- ballast water management systems installed before 28^th October, 2020 shall be approved taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organisation or the BWMS Code, as may be amended.

The ballast water management systems which make use of active substances or preparations containing one or more active substances to comply with these rules shall be approved by the Director-General, based on a procedure developed by the Organisation, which shall specify the approval and withdrawal of approval of active substances and their proposed manner of application.
In the case of withdrawal of approval, the use of the relevant active substance or substances shall be prohibited within one year after the date of such withdrawal.
The ballast water management systems must be safe in terms of the vessel, its equipment and the

Prototype ballast water treatment technologies.– (1) If any to which these rules do not apply, participates in a program approved by the Director-General, to test and evaluate promising ballast water treatment technologies, then the standard in paragraph 10 shall not apply to that vessel until five years from the date of such participation.

If any vessel to which these rules apply, participates in a program approved by the Director-General, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organisation, to test and evaluate promising ballast water technologies with the potential to result in treatment technologies achieving a standard higher than that in paragraph 10, then the standard in paragraph 10 shall cease to apply to that vessel for five years from the date of installation of such technology.
In establishing and carrying out any program to test and evaluate promising ballast water technologies, the Director-General shall––
- take into account guidelines developed by the Organisation; and

allow participation only by the minimum number of vessels necessary to effectively test such technologies.

Throughout the test and evaluation period, the treatment system must be operated consistently and as designed

Second Schedule [See rule 13]

Form I- INTERNATIONAL BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE

Issued under the provisions of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (hereinafter referred to as “the Convention”) under the authority of the Government of India

by…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

(full designation of the competent person or Organisation authorised under the provisions of the Convention)

Particulars of ship

Name of ship ………………………………………………………………………………………….

Distinctive number or letters …………………………………………………………………….

Port of registry ……………………………………………………………………………………….

Gross Tonnage ………………………………………………………………………………………

IMO number ………………………………………………………………………………………….

Date of Construction ……………………………………………………………………………….

Ballast Water Capacity (in cubic meters) ……………………………………………………

Method of Ballast Water Management used ………………………………………………………….

Date installed (if applicable) (dd/mm/yyyy) …………………………………………………

Name of manufacturer (if applicable) ………………………………………………………..

The principal Ballast Water Management method(s) employed on this ship is/are:

in accordance with regulation D-l
in accordance with regulation D-2 (describe)
the ship is subject to regulation D-4
other approach in accordance with regulation ………………………………..

THIS IS TO CERTIFY:

That the ship has been surveyed in accordance with regulation E-1 of the Annex to the Convention: and
That survey shows that Ballast Water Management on the ship complies with the Annex to the Convention.

This Certificate is valid until………………………………… subject to surveys in accordance with regulation

E-1 of the Annex to the Convention.

Alternatively, the particulars of the ship may be placed horizontally in
IMO Ship Identification Number Scheme adopted by the Organisation by a resolution 1117 (30) as may be amended

Completion date of the survey on which this Certificate is based: dd/ mm/ yyyy

Issued at ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

(Place of issue of Certificate)

…………………….. …………………………………………………………………..

(Date of issue) (Signature of authorised official issuing the Certificate)

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

ENDORSEMENT FOR ANNUAL AND INTERMEDIATE SURVEY(S)

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that a survey required by regulation E-1 of the Annex to the Convention the ship was found to comply with the relevant provisions of the Convention:

Annual survey: Signed ………………………

(Signature of duly authorised official)

Place……………………….

Date…………………………

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

Annual* /Intermediate survey*: Signed………………………

(Signature of duly authorised official)

Place ………………………

Date…………………………

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

Annual*/ Intermediate survey*: Signed………………………

(Signature of duly authorised official)

Place ………………………

Date…………………………

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

Annual survey: Signed………………………

(Signature of duly authorised official)

Place ………………………

Date…………………………

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

* Delete as appropriate.

ENDORSEMENT TO EXTEND THE CERTIFICATE IF VALID FOR LESS THAN 5 YEARS WHERE REGULATION E-5.3 APPLIES

The ship complies with the relevant provisions of the Convention, and this Certificate shall, in accordance with regulation E-5.3 of the Annex to the Convention, be accepted as valid until…………………………………

Signed …………………………………………

(Signature of authorised official)

Place …………………………………………..

Date …………………………………………….

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

ENDORSEMENT WHERE THE RENEWAL SURVEY HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND REGULATION E-5.4 APPLIES

The ship complies with the relevant provisions of the Convention and this Certificate shall, in accordance with regulation E-5.4 of the Annex to the Convention, be accepted as valid until

Signed …………………………………………

(Signature of authorszed official)

Place …………………………………………..

Date ……………………………………………

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

ENDORSEMENT TO EXTEND THE VALIDITY OF THE CERTIFICATE UNTIL REACHING THE PORT OF SURVEY OR FOR A PERIOD OF GRACE

WHERE REGULATION E-5.5 OR E-5.6 APPLIES

This Certificate shall, in accordance with regulation E-5.5 or E-5.6^* of the Annex to the Convention, be accepted as valid until ………………………….

Signed ………………………

(Signature of authorised official)

Place ………………………..

Date ………………………….

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

* Delete as appropriate

ENDORSEMENT FOR ADVANCEMENT OF ANNIVERSARY DATE WHERE REGULATION E-5.8 APPLIES

In accordance with regulation E-5.8 of the Annex to the Convention the new Anniversary date is……………………………………………….

Signed ……………………….

(Signature of authorised official)

Place………………………..

Date ………………………….

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

In accordance with regulation E-5.8 of the Annex to the Convention the new Anniversary date is…………………………………………………………..

Signed ………………………

(Signature of duly authorised official)

Place………………………..

Date ………………………….

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

* Delete as appropriate

Form II- INDIAN BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENTCERTIFICATE

Issued under the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Vessels Ballast Water and Sediments) Rules, 2026 on vessels under the authority of the Government of India

by…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

(full designation of the competent person or Organisation authorised)

Particulars of vessel

Name of vessel …………………………………………………………………………………………

Distinctive number or letters …………………………………………………………………….

Port of registry ……………………………………………………………………………………….

Gross Tonnage ………………………………………………………………………………………

IMO number …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Date of Construction ……………………………………………………………………………….

Ballast Water Capacity (in cubic meters) ……………………………………………………

Details of Ballast Water Management Method(s) Used

Method of Ballast Water Management used ………………………………………………………….

Date installed (if applicable) …………………………………………………………………….

Name of manufacturer (if applicable) ………………………………………………………..

The principal Ballast Water Management method(s) employed on this vessel is/are:

in accordance with paragraph 9 of the First Schedule

in accordance with paragraph 10 of the First Schedule

(describe)……………………………………………………………………

the vessel is subject to paragraph 12 of the First Schedule

THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT:

The vessel has been surveyed in accordance with rule 10 of the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Vessels Ballast Water and Sediments) Rules, 2026; and
The survey shows that Ballast Water Management System on the vessel complies with the applicable requirements of the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Vessels Ballast Water and Sediments) Rules, 2026

This Certificate is valid until…………………………………. subject to surveys in accordance with rule 10

Completion date of the survey on which this Certificate is based: dd/ mm/ yyyy

Issued at ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

(Place of issue of certificate)

……………………………………… …………………………………………………..

(Date of issue) (Signature of authorised official issuing the certificate) (Seal or stamp of authority, as appropriate)

Alternatively, the particulars of the ship may be placed horizontally in
IMO Ship Identification Number Scheme adopted by the Organisation by a resolution 1117 (30) as may be amended

ENDORSEMENT FOR ANNUAL AND INTERMEDIATE SURVEY(S)

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that a survey required by rule 10 of the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Vessels Ballast Water and Sediments) Rules, 2026, and vessel was found to comply with the relevant provisions of the rules:

Annual survey: Signed ………………………

(Signature of duly authorised official)

Place……………………….

Date…………………………

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

Annual*/ Intermediate survey*: Signed………………………

(Signature of duly authorised official)

Place ………………………

Date…………………………

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

Annual* /Intermediate survey*: Signed………………………

(Signature of duly authorised official)

Place ………………………

Date…………………………

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

Annual survey: Signed………………………

(Signature of duly authorised official)

Place ………………………

Date…………………………

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

* Delete as appropriate.

ANNUAL OR INTERMEDIATE SURVEY IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 14(8)(c)

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that, at an annual or intermediate* survey in accordance with clause (c) of sub-rule

(8) of rule 14 of the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Vessels Ballast Water and Sediments) Rules, 2026, and the vessel was found to comply with the relevant provisions of the rules:

Signed …………………………………………

(Signature of authorised official)

Place …………………………………………..

* Delete as appropriate

Date …………………………………………….

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

ENDORSEMENT TO EXTEND THE CERTIFICATE IF VALID FOR LESS THAN 5 YEARS WHERE RULE 14 (3) APPLIES

The vessel complies with the relevant provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Vessels Ballast Water and Sediments) Rules, 2026, and this Certificate shall, in accordance with sub-rule

of rule 14, be accepted as valid until

Signed …………………………………………

(Signature of authorised official)

Place …………………………………………..

Date …………………………………………….

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

ENDORSEMENT WHERE THE RENEWAL SURVEY HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND RULE 14(4) APPLIES

The vessel complies with the relevant provisions of the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Vessels Ballast Water and Sediments) Rules, 2026 and this Certificate shall, in accordance with sub-rule

of rule 14, be accepted as valid until

Signed …………………………………………

(Signature of authorised official)

Place …………………………………………..

Date ……………………………………………

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

ENDORSEMENT TO EXTEND THE VALIDITY OF THE CERTIFICATE UNTIL REACHING THE PORT OF SURVEY OR FOR A PERIOD OF GRACE

WHERE RULE14 (5) AND 14 (6) APPLIES

This Certificate shall, in accordance with sub-rules (5) and (6) of rule 14 of the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Vessels Ballast Water and Sediments) Rules, 2026, be accepted as valid until

………………………………………………………………………………….

Signed ………………………

(Signature of authorised official)

Place ………………………..

Date ………………………….

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

* Delete as appropriate

ENDORSEMENT FOR ADVANCEMENT OF ANNIVERSARY DATE WHERE RULE 14 (8) APPLIES

In accordance with sub-rule (8) of rule 14 of the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Vessels Ballast Water and Sediments) Rules, 2026, the new Anniversary date is

Signed ……………………….

(Signature of authorised official)

Place………………………..

Date ………………………….

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

In accordance with sub-rule (8) of rule 14 of the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Vessels Ballast Water and Sediments) Rules, 2026, the new Anniversary date is

Signed ………………………

(Signature of duly authorised official)

Place………………………..

Date ………………………….

(Seal or stamp of the authority, as appropriate)

FORM – III- BALLAST WATER RECORD BOOK

[See paragraph 2 of First Schedule]

BALLAST WATER RECORD BOOK

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF SHIPS’ BALLAST WATER AND SEDIMENTS

Name of ship	………………………………………………

IMO number, distinctive numbers or letters

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Gross tonnage……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Flag…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………


Total Ballast water capacity (in cubic meters)	…………………………………………………..

Number of International Ballast Water Management Certificate	…………………………………

Period From

…………………

A diagram identifying the ballast tanks of the ship, corresponding to the Ballast Water Management Plan, including any multi-use tank, space or compartment designed to allow carriage of ballast water, is integral to and shall be part of this Ballast water Record Book

(1) Introduction

In accordance with regulation B-2 of the Annex to the Convention or paragraph 2 of the First schedule, as the case may be, a record is to be kept of each Ballast Water operation. This includes discharges at sea and to reception facilities.

“Ballast Water” means water with its suspended matter taken onboard a ship to control trim, list, draught, stability, or stresses of a ship. Management of ballast water shall be in accordance with an approved ballast water management plan and taking into account guidelines developed by the Organisation.

The Ballast water record book entries should be completed, taking into account any guidelines developed by the Organisation

The volume of ballast water onboard should be estimated in cubic meters. It is recognised that the accuracy of estimating volumes of ballast water is left to interpretation.

(2) Entries in the Ballast Water Record Book

Entries in the Ballast Water record book shall be made on each of the following occasions:

(a) When the Ballast water in taken onboard from the aquatic environment (ballasting operation)

Start time and location (port of uptake or latitude/longitude);
Completion time and location (port of uptake or latitude/ longitude and minimum depth of water during uptake);
The identity of the tanks affected;
Estimated volume of uptake and final total quantity retained in cubic meters;
Whether conducted in accordance with the approved Ballast Water Management Plan; and
Ballast water treatment

(b) When ballast water is discharged into the aquatic environment (deballasting operation)

Start time and location (port of discharge or latitude/ longitude);
Completion time and location port of discharge or latitude/ longitude and minimum depth of water during discharge);
The identity of tanks affected;
Estimated volume of discharge and final total quantity retained in cubic meters;
Whether conducted in accordance with the approved Ballast Water Management Plan; and
Ballast Water treatment

(c) Whenever ballast water is exchanged, treated through internal circulation or treated in tank

Ballast Water Exchange
- Start time and location (latitude/ longitude);
- Completion time and location (latitude/longitude);
- minimum distance from the nearest land and minimum depth of water during the exchange or, if applicable, identify the designated exchange area in accordance with regulation B-4.2 of the Convention;
- Whether conducted in accordance with the Ballast water management plan and state the ballast water exchange method (sequential or flow-through or dilution) used;
- the identity of the tanks affected;
- total quantity exchanged and final total quantity onboard in cubic meters
- treatment method for the incoming ballast
Ballast water internal circulation for treatment or in-tank treatment
- Start time;
- Completion time;
- The identity of the tanks affected (identifying source and destination tanks if applicable);
- Total quantity treated (through circulation or in tank) in cubic meters; and
- Ballast water treatment

(d) Uptake or discharge of ballast water from/to a port-based or reception facility

Start time and location of uptake/discharge (state facility name);
Completion time;
Operation carried out (whether uptake or discharge);
The identity of the tanks affected;
Total quantity in cubic meters and final quantity retained onboard;
Whether conducted in accordance with the approved Ballast Management Plan; and
Onboard ballast water treatment

(e) Accidental discharge/ingress or other exceptional uptake or discharge of ballast water

Start time and location of ingress/ uptake/ discharge (port name or latitude/longitude;
Completion time;
Operation carried out (whether ingress, uptake or discharge);
The identity of the tanks affected;
Total quantity of ballast water in cubic meter; and
State the circumstances of ingress, uptake, discharge or loss, the reason thereof, any treatment method used and general remarks.

Failures and inoperabilities (Failures and inoperabilities include malfunctions, shutdowns or critical alarms indicating a failure of the ballast water management system which may indicate non-compliance

with the D-2 standard of the Convention, (except routine information and warnings)

time and location (port name or latitude/longitude) of failure of ballast water management system;
Operation carried out (state whether uptake or discharge);
Description of the issue (e.g. Kind of alarm or other description of circumstances); and
time and location (port name or latitude/longitude) when the ballast water management system has been made operational.

(g) Ballast tank cleaning/ flushing, removal and disposal of sediments

Time and vessel’s location on commencement of ballast tank cleaning/ flushing, removal or

disposal of sediments (port name or latitude/longitude);

time and vessel’s location on completion of ballast tank Flushing, removal or

disposal of sediments (port name or latitude/longitude);

Tank(s) identification (name of the ballast tanks as per the Ballast Water Management Plan);
Discharge or disposal to a reception facility (state quantity in cubic meters and name of the facility); and
Disposal or discharge to the aquatic environment as per Ballast Water Management Plan (state quantity in cubic meters, minimum distance from the nearest land in nm and minimum depth of the waters in meters).

(h) Additional operational procedures and general remarks

Sample Ballast Water Record Book Page

Name of vessel…………………………

IMO Number, distinctive numbers or letters…………………………

Date	Code (letter)	Item (number)	Record of operations/ signature of officer in charge

Signature of the master……………

[F. No. SY-19014/198/2025-MG-Part(2)]

VENKATESAPATHY S, Jt. Secy.

Download PDF Click here

for more refer Gazette website click here

for more refer YouTube Subscribe website click here