In an effort to improve ballast water management in international shipping, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has launched a new free course on its e-learning platform. This course, entitled“Introduction to Ballast Water Management and Compliance Monitoring and Control,” is aimed primarily at government personnel from national authorities responsible for the prevention and control of pollution from ships.
Details about the ballast water management course
IMO’s free course is not only designed for government personnel, but is also open to the public. This gives all interested parties, both within and outside the maritime community, the opportunity to learn about the implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM Convention). (BWM Convention) .
[post_relacionado]Topics include an overview of the convention, the associated guidelines and the role of the various administrations and stakeholders in the implementation of the global standards.
Specific course topics include aquatic invasive species management and port state compliance monitoring. In addition, risk assessment and management and the importance of ballast water management to protect marine biodiversity are addressed. marine biodiversity .
It is important to mention that the course is designed to be interactive, offering activities that facilitate self-directed learning.
Importance of the BWM Agreement
Ballast water is essential for the stability of ships, but it can also carry thousands of aquatic organisms that, when moved to new environments, can become invasive and threaten local ecosystems.
The BWM Convention, adopted in 2004 and in force since 2017, establishes global regulations to control this transfer of aquatic species. Since then, ships must manage their ballast water in accordance with these provisions to protect the marine environment.
IMO also invites all interested parties in the maritime community to take advantage of this free resource and improve their knowledge on the subject. Registration is open on the IMO’s e-learning platform offering a valuable opportunity for continuing education and professional updating.
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Source and photo: IMO