RECOGNIZING that several States have taken unilateral action by adopting legally binding provisions for local, regional or national application with a view to minimizing the risks of introducing harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through ships entering their ports, and also that this issue, being of worldwide concern, demands action based on globally applicable regulation together with guidelines for their effective implementation and uniform interpretation,
HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendation of the MEPC at its fortieth session on this issue,
1. ADOPTS the Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water to Minimize the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens set out in the Annex to the present resolution;
2. REQUESTS Governments to take urgent action in applying these Guidelines, including the dissemination thereof to the shipping industry, to use them as a basis for any measures they adopt with a view to minimizing the risks of introducing harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens, and to report to the MEPC on any experience gained in their implementation;
3. REQUESTS ALSO the MEPC to work towards completion of legally binding provisions on ballast water management in the form of a new Annex to MARPOL 73/78, together with guidelines for their uniform and effective implementation with a view to their consideration and adoption in the year 2000;
4. REQUESTS FURTHER the MSC to include in its workplan the evaluation of information received from interested parties, particularly that relevant to 12.2 of the Guidelines adopted herewith, with a view to determining the hazards and potential consequences for various existing ship types and operations. The MSC is also requested to consider any other relevant issues concerning ballast water management as well as design objectives for new ships, with a view to minimizing to the extent possible risks of introducing harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens with ships' ballast water and sediments;
5. REVOKES resolution A.774(18).
