Norway to access the international convention for the control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments
Historical archive
Published under: Stoltenberg's 2nd Government
Publisher: Ministry of the Environment
Press release | Date: 30/10/2006 | Last updated: 12/11/2006
The Norwegian Government has decided to ask for the Parliaments approval to access the International Convention for the Control and Management for Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments. Norway will be among the first countries to join the Convention.
Press release
Date: 2006.10.30
Norway to access the international convention for the control and management of ships’ ballast water and sediments
The Norwegian Government has decided to ask for the Parliaments approval to access the International Convention for the Control and Management for Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments. Norway will be among the first countries to join the Convention.
- Norway has played an active part during the negotiations. Our aim has been to establish strict regulations. It is very important that Norway now takes one step further towards joining the Convention, says the Norwegian Minister of Environment, Helen Bjørnøy.
The Ballast Water Convention, which was adopted at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 2004, contains strict regulations on the control and management of ships ballast water. The purpose of the convention is to avoid introduction of alien invasive species. It is generally accepted that the transport of harmful aquatic species trough ballast water is on of the largest threats to biological diversity.
- It is however necessary to develop new technology for the treatment of ballast water. Several Norwegian companies and research institutes are taking part in developing this technology, says Bjørnøy.
So far six countries have joined the convention (The Maldives, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Spain, Syria and Tuvalu), representing less than one percent of the world fleet. Norway is representing 2, 4 percent of the world merchant fleet.
Contact information: Deputy Director General Knut Kroepelien + 47 22 24 57 16