Ballast Water Management: Focus Area for 2025 Port State Control Concentrated Inspection Campaign
- Understand How It Works
- Register to receive the Maritec-Naias PSC CIC Readiness Checklist
As on 15 September 2025
INTRODUCTION
The 2025 Port State Control Concentrated Inspection Campaign (PSC CIC) focuses on Ballast Water Management (BWM) from 1 September to 30 November 2025.
This initiative, led by the Paris and Tokyo MoUs, aims to ensure vessels comply with the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention, which helps prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species. It is expected that the majority of PSC MoUs will participate in this year’s CIC. Concentrated Inspection Campaigns focus on specific areas where a higher risk of non-compliance could exist. This could be evidenced by the number of deficiencies encountered, accidents or where new convention requirements have recently entered into force.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Key Details:
- Timeframe: 1 September to 30 November 2025
- Scope: All ships subject to PSC in participating regions (Paris MoU, Tokyo MoU, and others)
- Focus: Operational and documentation compliance with BWM standards
- CIC Questionnaire:
- A standardized questionnaire will be used during inspections
- Click here to view a Sample Questionnaire seen on page 4 of the Tokyo MoU Press Release
- Helps ensure uniformity across PSC regimes
HOW CAN YOU PREPARE?
Click Here to Register for the Maritec-Naias PSC CIC Readiness Checklist*
- Share the Readiness Checklist with vessel crew to ensure crucial areas are compliant
- As longstanding experts in BWM Compliance Surveys & Reporting, Maritec-Naias can provide consultancy services to help ensure your vessels are CIC ready
*Upon receiving your registration our team will be intouch to assess your requirements & share the checklist
SINCE THE START OF THE PSC CIC, APPROXIMATEY 30 VESSELS ARE DETAINED DUE TO PSC INSPECTIONS WITH 12 VESSELS FOUND TO HAVE BALLAST WATER RELATED DEFICIENCIES*
Below please find a summary of key observations & findings from the list of detained vessels:
- A total of 22 ballast water management related deficiencies are recorded for the 12 detained vessels.
- Among the 12 vessels that were detained, 5 vessels have recorded ballast water detainable deficiencies.
- The 6 detainable deficiencies recorded for these 5 vessels include:
- 14811 - POLLUTION PREVENTION - BALLAST WATER - Ballast Water Management System
- 14813 - POLLUTION PREVENTION - BALLAST WATER - Ballast Water Management Plan – Implementation
- 14806 - POLLUTION PREVENTION - BALLAST WATER - Crew Training and Familiarization
- The other 7 vessels recorded 16 general ballast water deficiencies with the following as the most common:
- 14802 POLLUTION PREVENTION - BALLAST WATER (Ballast Water Record Book)
*Number of detained vessels are as per 09 September 2025 and subject to change as per ongoing updates on the Tokyo MoU website
A QUICK SUMMARY OF WHAT THE MARITEC NAIAS CHECKLIST PLACES THOROUGH EMPHASIS ON (CLOSELY BASED ON WHAT IS EXPECTED FOR INSPECTORS TO CHECK FOR)
- Ballast Water Record Book (BWRB)
- Accurate and complete entries for all ballast operations (intake, transfer, discharge) with date, time, location, and volume
- Use of electronic BWRBs must be backed by flag state approval letters kept onboard
- Consistency between BWRB, BWMS logs, and actual operations
- Ballast Water Management System (BWMS)
- Functionality and maintenance records
- Reporting of malfunctions and use of contingency measures
- Crew familiarity with system operation
- Ballast Water Management Plan (BWMP)
- Up-to-date and integrated into the Safety Management System
- Clear procedures for normal and emergency operations
- Designated responsible personnel and port-specific details
- Crew Familiarization
- Inspectors will assess whether crew members understand:
- How to operate the BWMS
- What to do in case of system failure
- How to properly record ballast operations
Note: As always, the CIC is part of regular PSC inspections. Inspections are therefore not limited to BWM; however, during the first PSC inspection in a participating MoU, the CIC topic will be addressed.
For more information on Maritec Naias Ballast Water Testing services and other Discharge Water Compliance services please visit Maritec Services and Naias Services .
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