World Maritime Day theme highlights importance of effective ballast water management, says NAPA

“This year’s theme – ‘Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity’ – shines a light on the essential role the oceans play in sustaining life, livelihoods, and the global economy,” writes Tommi Vihavainen (pictured), Director, Development and Product Owner - Logbook, NAPA. “It underlines the deep connection between shipping and UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly goal 14: Life Below Water, which focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

To protect the countless marine species that call the ocean home, effective ballast water management (BWM) is vital. From the Asian shore crab to the round goby, invasive aquatic species transported in ships’ ballast water can destroy the intricate balance of entire marine ecosystems. That is why, this year, Port State Control (PSC) are thoroughly checking BWM convention compliance.

The PSC is running its annual Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on BWM from September 1-November 30, 2025. And for port states under the Paris and Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), inspectors will target ballast water record-keeping, system performance, and documentation consistency. If ships are non-compliant, they could be fined, delayed or even detained.

Ballast water record-keeping has emerged as one of the most significant areas of concern. According to data reported by the Paris MoU, 58% of BWM compliance deficiencies are directly linked to poor record-keeping or administrative errors. 

DNV’s 2024 internal figures support this, with it repeatedly identifying record book mismatches, missing flag state approval letters for electronic systems, and unreported BWM system malfunctions. With these gaps recognised, the financial and reputational risks of non-compliance for shipowners have grown. 

In this compliance landscape, old-fashioned paper-based or siloed digital record-keeping is no longer fit for purpose. Even when electronic systems are in place, compliance failures still occur if these technologies aren’t aligned with current standards, connected to onboard data sources, or recognized by flag authorities.

The CIC will also check the readiness of seafarers, so it’s vital they have the right tools and understand all the required BWM processes. PSC officers will expect crews to demonstrate that they can run the BWMS as intended, from implementing procedures for challenging water quality (CWQ) set out in the vessel’s Ballast Water Management Plan to meeting the updated reporting criteria.

This comes at a time when seafarers’ workload is already increasing. A recent survey by the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) revealed that 54% of seafarers reported an increase in their workloads, 44% said they are feeling higher levels of stress and 33% fear potential criminalization due to complex reporting requirements.

The 2025 inspection is an important reminder that BWM compliance is underpinned by a culture of preparedness. Shipowners who adopt digital compliance tools for their crews can improve reporting efficiency, reduce risk, and enable people to focus on what truly matters: maintaining safe, efficient, and sustainable vessels.

This World Maritime Day, this PSC CIC inspection period, and beyond into the future – effective ballast water management matters. It matters that we protect life below water and halt the spread of invasive aquatic species. It matters that shipowners minimise their risk to non-compliance penalties. It matters that seafarers are supported with their growing reporting responsibilities.”