Amendments to MARPOL Annexes I, II, V and VI and the NOx Technical Code have been adopted to enable the use of ERBs. In addition, the electronic format is permitted for the Ballast Water Record Book, in accordance with regulation B-2 of the BWM Convention. Guidelines for the use of ERBs under the MARPOL and BWM Conventions were adopted at the 74^th and 80^th sessions of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, respectively. These Guidelines are applicable to the following record books and recording requirements:

To ensure compliance with the MARPOL and BWM Conventions, ERBs should obtain approval from the vessel's Flag State or an authorized Recognized Organization (RO). The Guidelines developed by IMO establish consistent technical specifications and criteria to standardize the approval process. The ERB is assessed by the Flag State or an authorized RO to verify compliance with the relevant requirements of the Conventions and with the Guidelines. Following the assessment, if the specified requirements of the Conventions and the Guidelines are met, a "Declaration of MARPOL electronic record books" or "Declaration of BWM Convention electronic record books" is issued. A copy of the Declaration should be carried on board for regulatory surveys or inspections.

To streamline the approval process, ABS offers Product Design Assessment (PDA) services to ERB manufacturers, verifying their compliance with the prescribed standards. If a PDA is granted to an ERB under the MARPOL and BWM Conventions and ABS is authorized by the vessel’s Flag State, ABS can issue the Declaration upon conducting a confirmatory survey.

Electronic versions of record books and logbooks other than those under the MARPOL and BWM Conventions can also be issued with PDA based on ABS Rules and ISO Standards. Operators should consult with the ship Flag Administration about any additional requirements.

MEPC 81 adopted amendments to regulations A-1 and B-2 of the BWM Convention, introducing new requirements for the use of electronic Ballast Water Record Books (BWRBs). These amendments, detailed in resolution MEPC.383(81), will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Regulation B-2 was amended to require that electronic BWRBs be approved by the flag Administration in accordance with the IMO’s guidelines specified in resolution MEPC.372(80). Ballast water operations must be recorded promptly in the BWRB, with each entry signed by the officer in charge of the operation concerned. The amendments also stipulate that when an electronic BWRB is utilized, each group of electronic entries must be verified by the master in a timely manner.

More information about the recent amendments to the BWRB requirements can be found in ABS Regulatory News No. 11/2024.

Operators are encouraged to adopt ERBs to fulfill their recording and reporting obligations under MARPOL and BWM Conventions, where applicable. Digital record keeping not only alleviates the administrative burden of paperwork but also showcases environmental awareness by reducing paper usage. The ERB installed on board should be assessed by the flag State or an authorized RO against the relevant IMO guidelines. If the specified criteria are met, the declaration is issued and a copy of it should be carried on board for regulatory surveys or inspections.

ABS Wavesight™ eLogs is an ABS-approved ERB developed by ABS Wavesight, the ABS affiliate software as a service (SaaS) company, which facilitates compliance with recording requirements under both the MARPOL and BWM Conventions.