Belgium commits to the preparation of a national action plan to reduce the damage caused by ballast water from ships. The process of loading and unloading untreated ballast water poses a major threat to the environment, public health and the economy as ships become a vector for the transfer of organisms between ecosystems, from one part of the world to another.

The Ballast Water Convention, managed by the International Maritime Organization in London, aims at preventing, limiting and eventually eliminating the displacement of harmful aquatic organisms and germs by controlling and managing the ballast water and sediment of ships. The approval of the Ballast Water Convention represents an important step towards better protection of the marine environment from damage caused by ballast water from ships. As a result, Belgium places itself globally in the group of countries that wants to pursue an active policy for the protection of the marine environment. Before the entry into force of the ballast water treaty, two conditions must be fulfilled. Thirty (30) ratifying countries that represent 35% of the world gross tonnage must agree. Due in particular to Belgium's ratification, 35% of the gross tonnage is achieved. This has triggered the Ballast Water Convention in September 2017. For our fleet, it is essential that Belgium has ratified the Ballast Water Convention so that Belgium can carry out the necessary inspections and deliver the corresponding certificates. The ships will have to meet strict ballast water quality standards. At the international level, it has been found that the Ballast Water Convention still needs some improvement.

Belgium will actively contribute to the smooth implementation of the Ballast Water Convention as a treaty party The national action plan will contain a number of ambitious action items .