Turkey has ratified the the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, becoming the 43rd signatory, following Japan last week.
With Turkey signing on the dotted line the total number if states by percentage of the world fleet ratifying the conventions now represents 32.54% of world tonnage.
The convention now has just 2.46% left to go before 35% of global tonnage falls under the agreement and triggers the convention’s entry into force.
Coming in spite of serious opposition from shipping groups such as European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA), Intertanko, and ICS – whose external relations director Simon Bennett last week said there is a “serious problem” with the convention – yesterday’s announcement is positive news for IMO secretary-general Koji Sekimizu, who last week said that he hoped Japan’s accession would trigger further ratifications.
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