‘In December the Norwegian parliament authorised the government to accede to the International Convention for the Control and Management for Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, says Morten Lund Mathisen, a partner at Wikborg Rein. ‘The Convention was adopted by the IMO in 2004 and introduces strict regulations on the control and management of ships’ ballast water. Norway will be among the first countries to join the Convention, but it is not going to wait for the rest of the world to follow. Finalisation of the draft regulations to give effect to its provisions are anticipated during the spring of 2007, and will be subject to a three month consultation period. Subject to Norway’s obligations under international law, the Ministry intends to implement the Convention rules in relation to ships calling at Norwegian ports before the Convention enters into force internationally. In particular, the restrictions on ballast water uptake and discharge set out in the Convention are expected to enter into force by the end of this year. The Ministry is now considering which areas along the Norwegian coastline shall be designated as ballast exchange areas.’