Regional Webinar on the Effective Implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention

The Mediterranean Sea, a critical maritime corridor, faces significant environmental challenges related to the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS) through ships’ ballast water and biofouling. To address this, COP 22 adopted the Ballast Water Management Strategy for the Mediterranean Sea (2022–2027), hereinafter referred to as the “Mediterranean BWM Strategy (2022-2027)”, aligning the actions in the Mediterranean with the provisions of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM Convention), adopted by the IMO, as well as contributing to regional efforts to mitigate marine environmental degradation. The Mediterranean BWM Strategy (2022-2027) aims at enhancing cooperation among Mediterranean coastal States to implement effective BWM practices and protect marine biodiversity.

The overall objectives of the Mediterranean BWM Strategy (2022-2027) are to: 

1. Establish a framework for a regional harmonised approach in the Mediterranean on ships’ ballast water control and management that is consistent with the requirements and standards of the BWM Convention, as outlined in Article 13(3) thereof;
2. Initiate some preliminary activities related to the management of ships’ biofouling in the Mediterranean region; and
3. Contribute to the achievement of Good Environmental Status with respect to NIS as defined in the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme of the Mediterranean Sea and Coast and Related Assessment Criteria. 

Under Strategic Priority 3 (Action 9) of the Mediterranean BWM Strategy (2022-2027), the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention called for the development and implementation of a capacity building programme. This remains particularly important, as several Mediterranean States have not yet ratified the BWM Convention, and in some cases, even where ratification has occurred, it has not been fully transposed into national legislation. Coupled with the limited number of technical initiatives related to BWM, these gaps highlight the continued need for targeted capacity-building activities. In addition, under Strategic Priority 4 (Action 10), the Contracting Parties agreed to promote efforts, individually and through regional cooperation, to raise awareness among decision-makers and the wider public about the impacts of, and the need to effectively manage, non-indigenous species (NIS) in the Mediterranean Sea.

Furthermore, REMPEC, in cooperation with SPA/RAC, conducted a Mid Term Review of the Mediterranean BWM Strategy (2022-2027) which found that immediate action is required to initiate pending activities and update the work plan to ensure the Strategy’s successful implementation. The Mid Term Review acknowledged that the Secretariat should continue to offer targeted technical support to Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention for the ratification and implementation of the BWM Convention through capacity building activities. This keeps on building on the momentum of recent regional workshops and expert meetings on ballast water management.

It is also to be noted that based on the responses provided by Contracting Parties to REMPEC Circular Letter No. 08/2025 on the BWM Strategy Questionnaire, the majority of respondents agreed that further capacity building and training on the subject matter should be offered. In this regard, this webinar will serve to provide targeted technical support to Contracting Parties for the implementation of the BWM Convention and to ensure that they have the necessary capacity to implement the Regional BWM Harmonised Procedures.

Thus, the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC), in cooperation with the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (SPA/RAC) of the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as well the International Maritime Organization (IMO), are organising a Regional Webinar on the Effective Implementation of the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention.

The Webinar, which is scheduled to take place on the 11th and 12th of November 2025, is financed by the Mediterranean Trust Fund (MTF).

This Regional Webinar will be focusing on:

1. Day 1, Tuesday 11th November 2025: This will provide the participants with a comprehensive introduction to the BWM Convention, including its adoption, amendments, and key requirements under international regulation; 
2. Day 2, Wednesday 12th November 2025: This will focus on the Regional BWM Harmonised Procedures, practical implementation issues in the Mediterranean Sea, highlighting inspection practices, contingency measures, and decision support tools.

The target audience for the webinar should have relevant technical or policy expertise in ballast water management and related maritime environmental matters to ensure a constructive discussion during the webinars.