Ballast Water Management The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments. Entry into force : The Convention will enter into force 12 months after the date on which not less than 30 states representing not less than 35% of the gross tonnage of the world merchant fleet have ratified the convention. The different ships’ implementation follows Regulation B.3 of the Convention, as summarised in the attached table . Regarding ratification, signs from the HELCOM countries (Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, Russia, Germany and Poland) are that they intend to ratify the Convention in 2010.  We will then be very close in attaining the number of states required. However, as to the percentage of fleet represented, one large flag is still missing (for example Panama) before achieving 35%. If the EU countries ratify the Convention, we will probably be above the minimum required. Please note that the Norwegian ballast water management regulations entry into force date is postponed to 1 July 2010. All the information herein is provided by DNV and is issued with their approval.