The recent ratification of the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) is welcomed by the Sustainable Shipping Initiative. The transport of alien species in ballast water is a major socio-economic and biodiversity threat, and we believe the adoption of the Convention is a positive step for the improvement of ocean health in coastal waters.

The recent controversies over national and regional approaches to the approval standards of the convention must however be resolved swiftly and not penalise owners who have been early adopters of treatment technologies which have met the requirements of the convention at the time.

Proactively contributing to the responsible governance of the oceans is a key part of our Vision to 2040, and our Roadmap and the ratification of the BWMC is a key milestone in reaching this goal.

 

 

About the Sustainable Shipping Initiative

The Sustainable Shipping Initiative (SSI) is an independent charity, comprised of ambitious leaders spanning the whole shipping value chain from charterers and ship owners, to ship yards, class societies and technology companies.

The SSI’s objective is to make sustainability mainstream; working with its members and other shipping stakeholders to create a more environmentally responsible, socially conscious, safer, accountable, and more economically profitable industry.  One that is truly sustainable by 2040, as outlined in its Vision.

The SSI was founded by global sustainability non-profit organisation Forum for the Future in conjunction with WWF, the global conservation NGO. Forum for the Future and WWF remain as SSI NGO members.

 

For further information, please contact:

Georgina Routen

BLUE Communications

T: + 44 (0) 7917 138 723

E: georgina.routen@hotmail.co.uk