BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 10. Azerbaijan will join
the International Convention for the Control and Management of
Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments", Trend's correspondent reports from the
event.


This issue has been discussed at today's session of the
Parliament of Azerbaijan.


During the discussion, it was noted that the draft law envisages
the ratification of the above convention dated February 13, 2004.
Ballast water is water transported in special tanks in order to
ensure the balance and safe movement of the ship. Through these
waters, various aquatic organisms and pathogens can move from one
marine environment to another, disrupting the ecological balance,
negatively affecting biodiversity, fisheries, and human health. The
main goal of the convention is to prevent such situations and
protect the marine environment.


The convention establishes a single international legal
framework for ballast water management. According to the document,
ships falling within the scope of the convention must have a
ballast water management plan, record all operations related to
ballast water in a special book, receive an international
certificate, and undergo regular inspections in accordance with the
established procedure. Ballast water management must be carried out
in accordance with international standards, and for this purpose,
ballast water exchange or approved treatment systems must be
used.


The convention also establishes cooperation between states in
this area, information exchange, ship control and inspection
mechanisms, as well as general legal procedures for the
implementation of the convention. At the same time, exceptions to
the discharge of ballast water are also provided for in cases such
as saving human lives or ensuring the safety of the ship.


The document consists of 22 articles and annexes. These annexes
define technical requirements, international standards, and
certification rules for ballast water management, including the
form of the Ballast Water Record Book.


The ratification of the convention will serve to organize
ballast water management in Azerbaijan in accordance with
international standards, strengthen the protection of the marine
ecosystem, and fulfill the country's obligations under
international maritime law.


The draft law on accession to the International Convention for
the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments
was put to a vote after discussions and adopted in one reading.