Effective June 18, 2025, vessels discharging ballast water in California’s freshwater or brackish water areas with a salinity of less than 18 parts per thousand (ppt) are required to conduct ballast water exchange prior to discharge.
This requirement is in addition to the existing California ballast water discharge performance standards.
For details on the existing regulations, please refer to the following link:
Amendments to Article 4.7 of Chapter 1, Division 3, Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations
Vessels entering California waters with ballast water taken from low-salinity areas must perform ballast water exchange before entering the state’s inland waters. It is important to note that this exchange must be conducted in accordance with California regulations, regardless of whether the federal discharge standards are met.
This regulation may necessitate a review and revision of ballast water management procedures.
We particularly recommend reviewing the procedures and methods for measuring salinity when taking ballast water in freshwater or brackish water areas.
A newsletter regarding this matter has also been issued by the Japan P&I Club:
USA－Requirements for salinity levels of ballast water in California’s fresh and brackish water
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