Brazil

Ballast Water Management Requirements - Brazil

Mandatory requirements for ballast water management (BWM) and reporting are in place for ships visiting ports and terminals in Brazil. Thfe regulations, which came into force 15 October 2005, require vessels to exchange ballast water prior to arrival in Brazil using either the sequential, flow through, or dilution method.

Every ship that uses ballast water is required to have a BWM plan, establishing safe and efficient procedures for that purpose. Brazilian vessels and ships chartered to Brazil* must have their BWM plan approved by a Classification Society recognised by the Directorate of Ports Coasts (DPC). There is no requirement for foreign flag vessels trading to/from Brazil to have the BWM plan approved.

Ships must be at a distance of least 200 nautical miles from the coast, and in a water depth of at least 200 metres when exchanging ballast. When this is not possible, the exchange is to be made as far as possible from the coast but not less than 50 nautical miles, and with a water depth of at least 200 metres. When it is not possible to exchange the water ballast at sea the ballast is to be retained on board.

Ships entering the Amazon River from international voyages or from other hydrographical regions will have to undertake two water ballast exchanges. The first is to be as detailed above; the second, to reduce the salinity of the water ballast, between the isobaric of 20 metres and Macapa. When the ballast volume is less then 5,000 cubic metres the limit will be the Jari River. 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 ballast water exchanges: the first must be as detailed above; and the second must be between 70 nautical miles from Salinopolis and the Light of the Ponta do Chapéu Virado ( Ilha do Mosqueiro).

A vessel will not be required to deviate from its course or delay its voyage in order to conduct a ballast water exchange. A ship may be exempted if the master considers that an exchange may impair the ship's safety and stability or the safety of the crew and passengers on board. However, failure to conduct a ballast water exchange will result in a penalty unless the vessel is exempt due to safety, voyage constraints or specifically exempted from the regulations.

A ballast water report form is to be completed and forwarded by the ship's master or its agent, to the port captaincy twenty-four hours before arrival of the ship. A water ballast history is to be maintained onboard for a period of two years. Ships arriving in Brazilian ports and terminals, for loading discharging or any other reason will be inspected to ensure compliance with these requirements.

* Chartered to Brazil means a ship that has a licence to operate between Brazilian Ports.
Source of information: Carlos Augusto
Representacoes Proinde Ltda.
www.proinde.com.br