The World Maritime University (WMU) contributed to strengthening the implementation of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (BWM 2004), in the Black Sea region. Through its academic expertise and support in developing the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO)e-learning course on Introduction to Ballast Water Management and Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement, WMU is contributing to advancing regional capacity development to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms via ships’ ballast water.
Dr Raphael Baumler, WMU Professor, served as lead consultant and was supported by consultant Dr Guillaume Drillet for an IMO assessment report on Black Sea regional progress regarding implementation of the Ballast Water Management Convention (BWM 2004). Building on this work, under the framework of the IMO Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), Dr Baumler prepared and delivered, with Dr Drillet’s support, a Regional Workshop on the BWM Convention that was held in Batumi, Georgia from 21–23 October.
Delivered in collaboration with the Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia, the workshop gathered government officials representing maritime and environmental administrations from Georgia, Türkiye, the Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine to enhance cooperation and harmonize implementation efforts to protect the Black Sea marine environment. All participants had completed IMO’s prerequisitee-learning ballast water management course—developed in cooperation with WMU—along with preparatory surveys tailored to regional needs.
Discussions focused on risk assessment, contingency planning, compliance monitoring, and cooperation among littoral States, emphasizing the roles of flag, port, and coastal States under BWM 2004. A field visit to the Port of Batumi showcased inspection and sampling procedures, underlining the importance of national legislation for effective implementation.
The outcomes of the assessment and workshop will inform future capacity-development activities and further reinforce the commitment of Black Sea States to sustainable ballast water management and marine ecosystem protection.
