#2026/305The Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
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This statutory instrument amends the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments) Regulations 2022 and the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018. It updates technical requirements and procedures for the control and management of ships' ballast water and sediments to further protect the marine environment from invasive species. The regulations come into force on 15 April 2026 and apply to UK flagged ships and foreign vessels in UK waters. The amendments are made under powers from the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 and related orders implementing international obligations, including those under the Ballast Water Management Convention.
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Key Changes
- Amends the Merchant Shipping (Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments) Regulations 2022
- Amends the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018
- Updates control and management requirements for ships' ballast water and sediments
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Obligations
What this law requires
UK flagged ships must comply with updated technical requirements and procedures for control and management of ships' ballast water and sediments as amended by these Regulations, effective 15 April 2026
Foreign vessels operating in UK waters must comply with updated technical requirements and procedures for control and management of ships' ballast water and sediments as amended by these Regulations, effective 15 April 2026
Ship operators must implement ballast water and sediment management procedures to protect the marine environment from invasive species in accordance with the amended Regulations
Compliance with fee requirements as amended in the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations 2018 must be maintained for ballast water and sediment control activities