International maritime regulations are developed within specialized United Nations agencies, such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The International Maritime Organization is:
A specialized UN agency governing shipping, bringing together 172 Member States and three associate members
33 international conventions to date
Signatory countries committing to applying the conventions in their waters.
Several conventions developed by IMO aim at protecting the marine environment. The main conventions that are in force and that have been ratified by Canada are :
International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention)
This convention, in force since September 8, 2017, requires ships navigating international waters to manage their ballast water and sediments according to a ship specific ballast water management plan. Most ships will also have to install a ballast water treatment system on board to comply with regulations during the next years.
