Web Alert: California State Regulations on Ballast Water Management (effective as of 1 July 2017)

The California State Lands Commission (SLC) has issued a letter (dated 19 April 2017) addressing the new regulations pertaining to the enforcement of the Marine Invasive Species Act and highlighting the reporting requirements.

Members with ships calling at California ports are advised that with effect from 1 July 2017, ships of 300 GT or more, capable of carrying ballast water are required to submit the USCG BWM Report at least 24 hours before the vessel arrives at that California port.

For reporting purposes, the letter identifies nineteen (19) places as recognized ports under the Marine Invasive Species Program. All terminals, berths, and anchorages within each port area are considered a part of that port.

Ships moving from one California port to another are required to file a separate Ballast Water Management Report for each port arrival.

If the ship’s voyage is less than 24 hours, the ships are required to submit the report prior to departing the previous port.

Failure to comply with the above mentioned reporting requirement or violations of the California Marine Invasive Species Act may result in civil penalty proceedings against the ship’s operator.