Jacqueline Tan, Senior Claims Executive at UK P&I Club comments on the strict ballast water management controls coming into force

The coming into force of the Ballast Water Management Convention 2004 ("BWMC") is now imminent. As of 12 February 2015, 44 States representing 32.86% out of the requisite 35% of the world's merchant fleet tonnage have ratified the Convention. The balance is expected to be obtained shortly and the Convention will enter into force 12 months thereafter.

This briefing is one of a continuing series which aims to share the legal expertise within the Club with our Members.

A significant proportion of the expertise in the Managers' offices around the world consists of lawyers who can advise Members on general P&I related legal, contractual and documentary issues. These lawyers participate in a virtual team, writing on topical and relevant legal issues under the leadership of our Legal Director, Chao Wu.

If you have any enquiries regarding the issues covered in this briefing, please contact Jacqueline Tan, Jeff Lock (jeff.lock@thomasmiller.com or +44 20 7204 2119) or Chao Wu (chao.wu@ thomasmiller.com or +44 20 7204 2157) and we will be pleased to respond to your query.

The other Legal Briefings on Ballast Water Management are available in the Related publications section.