The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (Ballast Water Management Convention or BWM Convention) is a 2004 international maritime treaty which requires signatory flag states to ensure that ships flagged by them comply with standards and procedures for the management and control of ships' ballast water and sediments.

[4] As of 15 July 2021, 86 countries were contracting States to the BWM Convention (representing 91.12% of the gross tonnage of the global merchant fleet).

[1] The first scientifically recognised occurrence of a non-indigenous marine species being transported in ships water occurred in the North Sea in 1903, with the Asian phytoplankton Odontella appearing.

[13] Ships that comply with the convention will receive and are duly required to carry an international ballast water management certificate.

[14] To receive a certificate, a ship will have to supply the necessary documentation showing compliance with the convention and a survey will be carried out on board.

[16] The convention is monitored by Port State Control, who must assess the ballast water management plan and its operation on the ship.

[19] The system must ensure that only small levels of viable organisms remain left in water after treatment so as to minimise the environmental impact of shipping.