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Review

Regulatory Trends and Future Outlook in Ballast Water Management: A Comparative Perspective on IMO and U.S. Approaches

선박평형수 관리제도의 국제적 변화와 전망: 국제해사기구와 미국의 제도 동향 중심으로

PUNG-GUK JANG1
,
WOO-JIN LEE2
,
KYOUNGSOON SHIN1*
장 풍국1
,
이 우진2
,
신 경순1*
1Principal Research Scientist, Ballast Water Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Korea
2Principal Research Specialist, Ballast Water Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Korea
1한국해양과학기술원, 선박평형수연구센터 책임연구원
2한국해양과학기술원, 선박평형수연구센터 책임기술원
*Corresponding Author
30 November 2025. pp. 288-302
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Abstract

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the Ballast Water Management Convention in 2004 to prevent the spread of invasive species via ballast water, with the Convention entering into force in 2017. A revision is planned for completion in 2026, with implementation scheduled for 2028. In parallel, the United States initiated ballast water regulation through the Vessel General Permit (VGP) in 2008 and later enacted the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA) in 2018. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final regulations in 2024, and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) plans to finalize implementation rules by 2026 and begin enforcement in 2027. IMO’s Experience Building Phase revealed that approximately 15% of surveyed vessels failed to meet the D-2 standard of ballast water discharge, mainly due to poor BWMS maintenance, inadequate performance verification, and insufficient crew training. Concerns over disinfection by-products (DBPs) were also raised. The upcoming Convention revision is expected to address these issues. The United States also aims to unify previously varying state-level discharge standards under a national standard through VIDA, and to establish a system that enables the timely strengthening of discharge standards in response to advancements in BWMS technology. This study analyzes recent international developments and regulatory shifts to inform policymaking and industrial strategy, with implications for improving the effectiveness of ballast water management and protecting marine ecosystems.

Keywords
Ballast water management
Ballast water management convention
Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA)
Ballast Water Management System (BWMS)
D-2 standard

국제해사기구(IMO)는 선박평형수를 통한 외래종 유입을 방지하기 위해 2004년 선박평형수관리협약을 채택하였고, 동 협약은 2017년에 발효하였다. 현재 국제해사기구는 협약 개정을 2026년까지 완료하고, 2028년부터 시행할 계획이다. 미국은 2008년 선박일반허가(VGP)를 통해 선박평형수 규제를 시작하였다. 2018년 선박부수배출법(Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, VIDA) 제정 이후 미국 환경보호청(EPA)은 2024년에 최종 규정을 발표하였고, 해당 규정은 같은 해에 발효되었다. 미국 해안경비대(USCG)는 이를 바탕으로 2026년까지 시행규칙을 확정하고, 2027년부터 본격 시행할 예정이다. 국제해사기구는 2017년부터 경험축적기(EBP)를 통해 수집한 선박평형수관리설비(BWMS) 운전자료를 분석하였다. 그 결과 조사 선박의 약 15%가 배출수 기준(D-2 기준)을 충족하지 못하였으며, 그 주요 원인은 장비의 유지관리 미흡, 성능 검증 부족, 선원 교육 미비 등이었다. 아울러 소독부산물(DBPs)에 대한 우려도 제기되어, 향후 협약 개정을 통해 이에 대한 관리 방안을 마련할 예정이다. 미국 또한 선박부수배출법을 통해 주마다 다른 배출수 기준을 국가 표준으로 통일하고, 장비 기술 발달에 따라 배출수 기준을 신속히 강화할 수 있는 체계를 구축하고자 한다. 본 논문은 이러한 국제적 동향과 제도 변화 추이를 분석하여, 정책 수립과 산업계 전략 마련에 기초자료를 제공하고, 선박평형수 관리의 실효성과 해양환경 보호에 대한 시사점을 도출하고자 한다.

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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Oceanography
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국해양학회
  • Journal Title :The Sea Journal of the Korean Society of Oceanography
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국해양학회지 바다
  • Volume : 30
  • No :4
  • Pages :288-302
  • Received Date : 2025-07-27
  • Revised Date : 2025-11-03
  • Accepted Date : 2025-11-20
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7850/jkso.2025.30.4.288
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