The California State Lands Commission has implemented an emergency ballast water management rule. The emergency rule came into effect on June 18, 2025.
Under this rule, vessels with ballast water sourced from waters with a measured salinity of less than 18 parts per thousand (ppt) — equivalent to 18 grams of salt per kilogram of water — are now required to conduct a ballast water exchange before discharging in California’s fresh and brackish waters.
If your vessel is heading towards a Californian port in ballast condition, verify with your agent if the ballast water exchange will be required.
Clarification: The ballast water exchange must be performed via the treatment system and vessel should nsure that the salinity of discharged ballast water is equal to or greater than 30 parts per thousand.
Read more here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CNRA/bulletins/3e864d7
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https://govt.westlaw.com/calregs/Document/I19C9E5204CEC11F0B092E538FFE3B542?viewType=FullText&originationContext=documenttoc&transitionType=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)
Saron Marine Environmental Services 