Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) centrada en la gestión del agua de lastre
De septiembre a noviembre de 2025, las administraciones marítimas pertenecientes a los Memorandos de Entendimiento (MoU) de París y Tokio llevarán a cabo una campaña de inspección concentrada (CIC) centrada en la gestión del agua de lastre. Durante este periodo, es probable que el control del Estado rector del puerto le haga preguntas al entrar en los puertos pertenecientes a las 50 administraciones del MoU. Tanto su tripulación como sus sistemas de gestión del agua de lastre (BWMS) deben estar preparados.
Para ayudarle a superar la CIC sin deficiencias, detenciones ni multas, hemos recopilado lo siguiente en esta página:
- Las razones y los riesgos
- Qué esperar durante la inspección
- Orientación para preparar a las tripulaciones y los BWMS
- Apoyo específico para los propietarios de sistemas Alfa Laval PureBallast
- Evaluación de la sustitución de los BWMS
Comprender la CIC
Las campañas de inspección concentrada se llevan a cabo cada año y se centran en áreas donde el riesgo de incumplimiento es alto. En 2025, la CIC se centrará por primera vez en la gestión del agua de lastre.
A partir de septiembre de 2024, todos los buques sujetos al Convenio de la OMI sobre la gestión del agua de lastre deberán tener instalado un BWMS. Ya deberán cumplir con la norma de rendimiento biológico D-2 y el resto de los requisitos del convenio. Sin embargo, las autoridades han observado muchas deficiencias en los últimos años.
La CIC tiene como objetivo centrarse en esta cuestión, garantizando que las deficiencias se detecten y corrijan en una fase temprana. Los funcionarios de control del Estado rector del puerto de las 50 administraciones del Memorando de Entendimiento (MoU) inspeccionarán los buques de bandera extranjera que lleguen utilizando un cuestionario específico.
Si los funcionarios de control del Estado rector del puerto detectan deficiencias durante el CIC, su buque podría ser detenido o multado.
¿Son frecuentes las deficiencias en la gestión del agua de lastre?
La aplicación del Convenio de la OMI sobre la gestión del agua de lastre se encuentra actualmente en una fase de adquisición de experiencia (EBP), que está previsto que finalice en 2026. Durante la EBP, no se impondrán sanciones por el incumplimiento de la norma de rendimiento biológico D-2, siempre y cuando:
- El BWMS esté correctamente homologado, instalado y mantenido
- El plan de gestión del agua de lastre del buque haya sido aprobado y se haya cumplido
- El BWMS funcione correctamente o se haya informado al Estado rector del puerto de cualquier problema antes de descargar el agua de lastre
En la práctica, muchos buques no han cumplido estas sencillas condiciones. Aunque rara vez se retiene a los buques por deficiencias individuales, la gestión del agua de lastre ha influido en numerosas retenciones.
El siguiente gráfico muestra las deficiencias recientes en la gestión del agua de lastre, según los datos del Memorando de Entendimiento (MoU). Las más comunes son las deficiencias en el libro de registro del agua de lastre, en el que las entradas no se han realizado correctamente o el libro en sí mismo no se encuentra.
¿Cómo se pueden evitar problemas durante la CIC?
El cuestionario de la CIC se centra en aspectos de la gestión del agua de lastre que han dado lugar a deficiencias repetidas. Entre ellos se incluyen la documentación y la operatividad del sistema, pero también la familiarización de la tripulación. Las tripulaciones deben demostrar a los funcionarios de control del Estado rector del puerto que pueden gestionar correctamente el BWMS, desde el mantenimiento regular hasta el seguimiento de los procedimientos para la calidad del agua difícil (CWQ) definidos en el Plan de Gestión del Agua de Lastre.
No basta con tener un BWMS a bordo. Para evitar problemas durante la CIC, tanto el BWMS como la tripulación deben estar preparados.
Preparing for the CIC
Technically, nothing in the CIC is new. Everything the CIC requires is already demanded by the IMO Ballast Water Management Convention. But you’ll need prove your compliance during the CIC, which comes down to three types of readiness.
1. Document readiness
Port State Control officers will want to see your key documents for ballast water management. These include:
- The International Ballast Water Management Certificate for your vessel. This certificate can only be issued after biological commissioning testing of the installed BWMS.
- An approved Ballast Water Management Plan. This must detail a wide range of routines, from ballast water management itself to safety procedures and BWMS maintenance. While not strictly required, it’s also a good idea to include procedures for challenging water quality (CWQ) or contingency measures that the vessel will rely on.
- Your Ballast Water Record Book, which should follow the updated guidance that entered into force in February 2025. All BWMS operations must be recorded in a timely manner and with the correct codes.
Be sure these documents are accessible, correct and in line with today’s requirements.
2. System readiness
Port State Control officers will expect your BWMS to be in good working order. They will check the state of its key components and make sure the treatment process is functional. If your BWMS uses active substances, they will also check that sufficient consumables are on board. Generally speaking, you should keep an eye on all critical inventory – including spare parts – so that system readiness is always possible to restore.
In short, your BWMS must be properly maintained and able to operate according to its type approval. If you need guidance, reach out to the BWMS supplier, who may also have packages for maintenance support.
3. Crew readiness
Above all, your success in the CIC depends on the crew – who must handle BWMS maintenance, BWMS operations and the ongoing documentation of ballast water management. Port State Control officers will check that crew members understand and fulfil their duties, even under challenging water quality (CWQ) conditions. In addition, there must be a designated crew officer with responsibility for ballast water management procedures and documentation.
BWMS logs and alarms will be compared against the Ballast Water Management Plan and entries in the Ballast Water Record Book. So crew knowledge and follow-through are vital. Speak to your BWMS supplier to arrange the proper training, and ask about connectivity or other solutions that can facilitate accurate recordkeeping.
Ten top tips for success in CIC 2025
To help you get ready for the CIC, we’ve prepared a concise but specific set of tips. Here you’ll find more about individual items that Port State Control officers will be looking for. In addition, you’ll learn where you can turn for additional guidance.
CIC support for Alfa Laval PureBallast owners
Your best partner in preparing for the CIC is the supplier who provided your BWMS. As a PureBallast owner, you can count on comprehensive assistance from Alfa Laval.
We’re ready to support you, from answering your service questions and urgent needs for PureBallast spare parts to providing guidance on procedures for challenging water quality (CWQ). For all PureBallast owners, we have prepared documentation that explains how the BWMS should be operated in CWQ conditions. It takes the interim guidance into account, explaining the specific CWQ triggers for PureBallast and actions that should or should not be taken in a CWQ situation - just reach out to us to receive it. In addition, we have specific service offerings that can help prepare crews and PureBallast systems for success in the CIC.
PureBallast training
In the CIC, crews must demonstrate their familiarity with the BWMS on board. They need to show that they understand their duties in ballast water management – and that they are able to fulfil them. So make sure they have the knowledge they need to operate and maintain PureBallast. We offer a range of PureBallast training options, including e-learning.
PureBallast Compliance Service Package
The CIC targets regulatory compliance. For BWMS, the IMO regulations demand maintenance according to the manufacturer’s instructions, as well as crew familiarity with the system. With the PureBallast Compliance Service Package, our experts take responsibility for these aspects and more – taking work and worry off your shoulders. The package combines everything you need for compliance with a predictable preventive maintenance cost.
Updated VisuALog software
BWMS logs will be checked during the CIC. So be sure you have the latest offline version of the Alfa Laval VisuALog software that was delivered with your PureBallast system. (If your version is older than VisuALog 3.0, please contact us to update.) VisuALog creates easy-to-understand visual reports that will simplify for Port State Control officers, who may otherwise have difficulty interpreting BWMS logs.
With VisuALog, you can easily verify that all BWMS operations have been entered into the Ballast Water Record Book. Using the online version, you can do this without manually retrieving log files. The online version of VisuALog is integrated into PureBallast Connect, a digital service portal that offers many additional possibilities.
Related topics
Evaluating BWMS replacement
The CIC focus on ballast water management is no coincidence. It’s a response to the many deficiencies already identified among BWMS. If you currently have BWMS issues and your supplier is unable to support you, BWMS replacement may be an option worth examining.
Understanding challenging water quality (CWQ)
Port State Control officers will review your Ballast Water Management Plan as part of the CIC, checking the crew’s understanding and ability to follow it correctly. Before performing a reactive bypass in CWQ conditions, you must consult the authorities – unless the procedure is clearly defined in your plan. Make sure you know what applies – and what doesn’t – by reading our white paper.
Understanding biological commissioning testing
During the CIC, Port State Control officers will verify that you have a valid International Ballast Water Management Certificate on board. This vessel-specific certificate is not the same as a BWMS type approval. To receive it, your individual BWMS installation must be verified through biological commissioning testing.
