Removal of Barriers to the Effective Implementation of Ballast Water Control and Management Measures in Developing Countries

The long-term objective of this project is to assist developing countries in reducing the transfer of harmful organisms from ship ballast water. The project will increase the extent to which ships calling on developing country ports adhere to the at present voluntary international Guidelines of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Further, it will assist developing countries in the development of programs necessary to implement the expected IMO international regulatory framework most likely through a ballast water annex to the MARPOL Convention or through a separate Convention. Effective, country based Pilot Demonstration Projects at specified ports within six developing nations, representative of each global development region, will be supported. The countries include Brazil/port of Sepetiba, China/port of Dalian, India/ port of Mumbai (Bombay), Iran/Kharg Island, South Africa/port of Soldanha, and Ukraine/port of Odessa. Regional Involvement will be effected through Regional Task Forces. Barriers to be overcome, as identified in the PDF-B project phase, include those of an educational, informational, technical, institutional, financial, political, cultural, and legal nature. There are six (6) major project objectives. The objectives address the need for effective project management and coordination, stakeholder and public awareness and educational activities, barrier removal efforts in targeted countries, monitoring activities, regional involvement and identification of opportunities for self-financing and the recruitment of additional donors to ensure long-term sustainability.