Transport Canada has recently updated Canada’s Ballast Water Regulations for vessels operating in Canadian waters. The regulations came into force on 23 June 2021 under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, and give effect to Canada’s international obligations under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM Convention). Canada’s updated regulations can be accessed here.
The regulations also include specific Canadian rules that are applicable to vessels that trade in Canadian waters such as:
- Vessels on international voyages that use a ballast water management system must continue exchanging ballast water and saltwater flushing when travelling to Canadian fresh waters from outside of waters under Canadian jurisdiction, the Great Lakes and the high seas, until at least 8 September 2024. Locations of the designated alternate ballast water exchange areas and fresh waters are identified in TP 13617E- List of Canada’s designated alternate ballast water exchange areas and fresh waters, and supplement the IMO’s Guidelines on Ballast Water Exchange.
- International vessels are to flush otherwise empty ballast tanks with open ocean water to reduce the risk posed by any residual ballast water and sediments.
- International vessels are to report on the provenance and management of ballast water discharged in Canada.
Source: Intertanko