The Ballast Water Management (BWM) convention has not met its final entry-into-force requirement yet, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Together with partner IHS Maritime & Trade, IMO has been engaged in a process to verify tonnage figures to ascertain whether or not the BWM convention's requirement has been met, and, although the process will continue for up to three more weeks, IMO said it is in a position to confirm that "the November ratifications did not trigger the convention's entry into force."

IMO said that, following the spate of ratifications in November 2015, forty-seven countries have now ratified the convention, substantially more than the 30 required, but their combined fleets comprise, at most, 34.56 per cent of global tonnage, with 35 per cent required for entry into force.

"The recent ratifications have brought the BWM convention so very close to entry into force," said IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim.

"While we cannot predict exactly when that will happen, I would urge countries that have not done so to ratify the BWM convention as soon as possible so that we can establish a certain date for entry into force, and also so that it is widely accepted when it does.

"In particular, those countries with large merchant fleets that have not done so, are requested to accelerate their processes to ratify the convention."

Shipowners have been encouraged to install the necessary equipment and establish operational procedures in accordance with IMO regulations and standards, so that the BWM convention can be implemented rapidly and effectively upon entry into force.

Amendments to the convention, to be implemented after it enters into force, will be considered at the next meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, in April 2016.