Ballast Water Management in Brazil

With effect from 15th October 2005 all ships are required to carry out ballast water management(BWM) prior to entry into a Brazilian port. The new regulations require vessels to exchangeballast prior to arrival using either the sequential method, the flow through method or thedilution method. The exchange must take place in an area no less than 200 nautical miles (nm) from the coast and in water of a depth of at least 200 metres. If this is not possible, exchange may take place not less than 50 nm from land in water of a depth of at least 200 metres.

Ships entering the Amazon River from international voyages or from other hydrographicalregions are required to undertake two water ballast exchanges. The first is to be as detailedabove; the second to reduce the salinity of the water ballast between the isobaric of 20 metresand Macapá. Where the ballast volume is less than 5,000 cubic metres the limit will be the JariRiver. In this second exchange it will be necessary only to pump the tank volume once. Ships entering the Para River from international voyages or from other hydrographical regions are also required to undertake two water ballast exchanges: the first must be as detailed above and the second must be between 70 nm from Salinópolis and the Light of the Ponta do Chapéu Virado (Ilha do Mosqueiro).

Ships will be required to have onboard a ballast water management plan approved by the ship’sclassification society. The ship’s master, or its agent, must send a ballast water report form to the Harbour Master or its agent 24 hours prior to arrival in port. A copy of this report should be retained onboard for possible presentation to any other authorities. A vessel will not be required to deviate from its voyage – or delay the voyage – in order to conduct a ballast water exchange. A ship may be exempted if the master considers that exchange may impair the ship's safety and stability or the safety of the crew and passengers because of adverse weather conditions, excessive stress to the hull, failure of any essential equipment, or any other extraordinary circumstances. Failure to employ at least one of the BWM practices outlined above will result in a penalty, unless the vessel is exempt due to safety or voyage constraints or specifically exempted from the regulation.