27 April 2015: The GloBallast Partnerships Programme, which assists developing countries in reducing the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in ships’ ballast water, has launched a set of online learning tools through its web portal.

The tools include an e-learning course on ‘Operational Aspects of Ballast Water Management (BWM)’ and an online library of resources. The course is aimed at seafarers and port workers involved in handling BWM.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) jointly support GloBallast, together with the Global Industry Alliance (GIA), a public-private partnership developed through GloBallast. GloBallast helps countries implement the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention).

Under the BWM Convention, international shipping must manage ballast water and sediments to a certain standard, according to a ship-specific BWM plan, including a ballast water record book and an international BWM certificate. The Convention was adopted in February 2004 and entered into force 12 months later, after ratification by 30 States that represent over one-third of the world’s merchant shipping. BWM standards are being phased in over a period of time and most ships will eventually have to install an on-board ballast water treatment system.

The e-learning course covers operational aspects of BWM, survey and certification and compliance monitoring and enforcement. Course material can be downloaded for use in the absence of internet access. [IW Learn Press Release] [GloBallast Website] [GloBallast E-Learning Portal] [IMO Web Page on the BWM Convention]