To ensure valid compliance testing of ballast water with challenging water conditions, for example from harbours with muddy waters, the performance of the BallastWISE CMD has been tested on challenging water with high concentrations of total suspended solids. Dive into the details in this article.
From September to November 2025, port state control authorities are engaged in a campaign to inspect and verify if ships meet the mandatory requirements for Ballast Water Management (BWM), as prescribed in the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM Convention). Shipping vessels often draw ballast water from harbors – typically some of the most challenging water due to its murkiness. The ability to test ballast water compliance on ballast water from harbours is vital to stakeholders such as port state control and shipping companies. The IMO protocol for verifying compliance monitoring devices (CMDs) recognizes this as a critical factor.
Challenging Water Conditions? No Problem for BallastWISE CMD
As part of the IMO protocol for verification of ballast water compliance monitoring devices (BWM.2/Circ.78), BallastWISE was tested on challenging water. The results? BallastWISE consistently delivered accurate results.
Curious how this was tested? Challenging water contained a minimum total suspended solids (TSS) concentration of 20 mg/L. High TSS and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) levels did not reduce BallastWISE’s accuracy or precision. The tests involved dilutions of prepared challenge water and ambient water samples that met the BWMS Code (G8) conditions for land-based testing. Challenging water was prepared by adding dissolved organic carbon (6 mg/L), particulate organic carbon (4 mg/L), TSS, and mineral matter (24 mg/L). These conditions did not affect BallastWISE’s performance.
BallastWISE’s automated tracking and analysis software excels at detecting high numbers of organisms and particles. It can identify up to 20,000 particles or organisms per L for organisms ≥50 μm and up to 20,000 particles or organisms per mL for organisms ≥10-50 μm.
Port State Control Campaign Highlights Ballast Water Management
The Concentrated Inspection Campaign, launched by the Paris and Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding, runs from September to November 2025. Does it affect your operations?
To avoid detention by Port State Control, vessels must prepare thoroughly. The campaign is focusing on:
- Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) approval and maintenance
- Ballast Water Record Books
- Crew training and familiarisation with BWM procedures
- Confirming an up-to-date and approved BWM Plan
- Sediment management & exemptions
This campaign addresses the frequent BWMS compliance test failures revealed in studies. The Ballast Water Management Convention aims to reduce the spread of invasive species and protect global waters, making reliable BWMS performance critical.
Stay tuned
For the latest ballast water testing updates, follow MicroWISE on LinkedIn or subscribe to our newsletter (signup at the bottom of the page).
References
- BWM.2/Circ.78 (2023). Protocol for the verification of ballast water compliance monitoring devices.
- Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC). Code for Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems (G8). Resolution MEPC. 300(72). Adopted 13 April 2018.
- MEPC 83/INF.23. Verification of the compliance monitoring device BallastWISE based on IMO and ISO test protocols.
- ETV Verification report 011987-66 (2025). BallastWISE.
Explore verification documents and more at https://microwise.eu/publications/.
You might like these other Blog Posts…
BallastWISE CMD is compatible with all type-approved ballast water treatment systems
There are many considerations to make when selecting a ballast water compliance monitoring device (CMD). You have almost certainly already considered the simplest: Does this ballast water test provide the results required by the IMO D2 standards? What about the...
How to test compliance for VGP’s vessel discharge vs IMO’s BWMS D-2 standards
Vessels operating in United States waters must follow the vessel discharge standards of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Vessel General Permit (VGP). These define, among others, the maximum amount of organisms that may be present in ballast water discharge…
How to become an approved service provider for BWMS commissioning testing
Commissioning testing is a mandatory step to verify that newly installed ballast water management systems (BWMS) meet the D2 standard and function correctly – as per the IMO’s 2020 Guidance for the commissioning testing of ballast water management systems…