The Sea Journal of the Korean Society of Oceanography ISSN:1226-2978(Print) 2671-8820(Online) 한국해양학회지 바다

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.