| Background An increasing number of port states world wide require that vessels arriving in their waters should submit reports regarding their water ballast practice. The background for this, was due to problems experienced with harmful aquatic organisms spreading from one area to another through a ships ballast water system. Ballast water exchange at open sea is deemed as an effective way of prohibiting transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens from the sailing port to arrival port. |  | | Port states having ballast water management requirements, will most often implicitly require a "Ballast water management plan" to be carried on board in accordance with relevant IMO Resolution A.868(20), "Guidelines for the control and management of ships' ballast water to minimize the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens". Having such a plan will also provide the following features: | | 
| The plan provides information to the master regarding the requirements of water ballast reporting to different port authorities | |
| Delay in ports may be avoided, if a proper ballast water management routine can be documented to the port authorities | |
| The plan provides assistance to the master in exchanging the water ballast in a safe manner | | |  | |  | | Ballast Water Management Plan We can prepare a "Ballast water management plan" which will include the following: | |
| Ballast water arrangements | |
| Safety considerations | |
| Ballast Water Management procedures | |
| National and Local requirements fully updated | |
| Calculation of acceptable intermediate stages of loading and unloading ballast water in open sea (sequential exchange of ballast water) | |
| Calculation of pressure drop in air pipe arrangements when applying the flow-through method. | | On completion, the following will be provided for vessel's use : | |
| Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP) | |
| Ballast Water Handling Log plus instructions for using the Log | | Instructions for the implementation of Ballast Water Management Plan in accordance with Company operation, training and document control Policy | | |  | |  | | Benefits We ensure that the Ballast Water Management Plan developed will be: | |
| Fully tailored to its client specific requirements | |
| Consistent with Company Operations, Training and document Control Policy | |
| Accompanied with training material for the use of shipboard staff in order to accelerate introduction onboard | |
| Up to date with future legislation in accordance with our Support Policy | |
| IMO Compliant (in accordance with IMO resolution as may be amended) |
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