Das Ballastwasser-Übereinkommen der internationalen Seeschifffahrts-Organisation von 2004

Invasive alien species are one of the greatest threats to the biodiversity of marine ecosystems. In order to minimize the unintentional transfer of invasive aquatic organisms through the ballast water of ships in future, the International Maritime Organization adopted the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments in 2004. It is expected that the Convention enters into force in 2017.
The author analyzes the new regulation of the Convention with regard to their effectiveness and relevance for the Law of the Sea, European Law and national law of Germany. Using the example of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea it is shown which legislative and administrative measures are necessary to ensure the effective and successful implementation and enforcement of the regulations of the Ballast Water Convention.