Technical Notices

In view of the upcoming amendments of the Form of Ballast Water Record Book (BWRB) posed by IMO Resolution MEPC.369(80), which shall enter into force on 1^st February 2025 (see INSB Class Technical Notice TD10637/2024) all ships with an approved BWM plan should start:

• Record-keeping of ballast water operations in the BWRB in accordance with guidance BWM.2/Circ.80, and
• Apply the new codes together with the specific item number for different BW operations specified in MEPC.369(80).

Crews should familiarize themselves with the new BWRB form, as port states and flag administrations will require records to be kept accordingly.

The Ballast Water Record Book (BWRB) can be amended without having to also amend the ballast water management plan (BWMP), which has already been approved by INSB Class. Hence, no re-approval of the BWMP is considered necessary when adjusting the format of the BWRB.

Ballast Water Management Plans, which will be submitted for approval after the 1^st February 2025, shall include the new Form of BWRB as per MEPC.369(80).

To follow up the implementation of the new requirements for BW record-keeping and reporting:

• INSB Class will shortly issue a respective memoranda under “Vessel Status” for all ships with an approved BWMP.
• INSB Class surveyors will at the first periodical survey or occasional survey after 1 February 2025 check if the BWRB has been amended as required and report the same back to INSB H.O. in order to delete the respective memoranda.