Shipowners worldwide are facing stepped-up inspections as authorities enforce ballast water treatment rules. A joint campaign by the Paris and Tokyo MoUs is targeting compliance with the Ballast Water Management Convention.
Shipowners have been warned to prepare for an intensive crackdown on ballast water management compliance as a global inspection campaign gets underway. The Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC), launched on September 1 by the Paris and Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), will run until the end of November. It is the most extensive enforcement drive since the Ballast Water Management Convention’s D-2 discharge standard became mandatory in September 2024.
Port State Control officers will apply a standard ten-point checklist during inspections. Their focus will be on ensuring vessels carry a valid International Ballast Water Management Certificate, have an approved and up-to-date management plan, and operate a type-approved treatment system in line with that plan. Inspectors will also test crew knowledge, review record books, check sediment handling and scrutinize any exemptions.
Charlène Ceresola, Ballast Water Treatment Project Manager at BIO-UV Group, said the industry could not afford to delay preparations. “The concentrated inspection campaign is now underway. The message to the industry is very clear: BWM Convention is now fully in force, and Port State Control will expect every vessel to be fully compliant with its requirements, with no excuses. Shipowners cannot wait until an inspector calls. They need to be prepared,” she said.
Authorities have voiced frustration in recent years that many non-compliance cases stem not from faulty systems but from poor paperwork, inconsistent maintenance and crew unfamiliarity. With the CIC now active, companies risk detentions, operational delays and reputational harm if gaps are found.
BIO-UV Group, which supplies ballast water treatment systems under its BIO-SEA brand, stressed that technology alone is not enough to ensure compliance. “BIO-SEA ballast water treatment technology is proven. But compliance failures occur when the crew does not know how to operate systems properly or when records are incomplete,” said Jean-Philippe Picard de Muller, Sales Director for BIO-SEA. “That is why our service team continues to place so much emphasis on training and on giving operators the confidence to demonstrate compliance during inspections.”
The company is advising shipowners to review documentation, update management plans, train crews and conduct internal audits before vessels are targeted. “Be prepared,” said Ceresola. “Review your documentation, operate your systems, train your crews and contact our service team if you need support. This PSC campaign is a reminder that compliance is not optional. It is an essential part of safe, efficient and sustainable ship operation.”
BIO-UV Group’s ballast water treatment systems are type approved by both the International Maritime Organization and the United States Coast Guard. The French company has been active in ultraviolet and water treatment technologies for more than 35 years and provides global support for installation, commissioning, training and service.
