S.L. 234.55 Art. 13Exemptions.

(1) The competent authority, in waters under jurisdiction of Malta, may grant exemptions to any requirements of these regulations, in addition to other exemptions contained in the Convention, but only when they are:

(a) granted to a ship or ships on a voyage or voyages between specified ports or locations; or to a ship which operates exclusively between specified ports or locations;

(b) effective for a period of no more than five years subject to intermediate review;

(c) granted to ships that do not mix Ballast Water or sediments other than between the ports or locations specified in sub-regulation (1)(a); and

(d) granted based on the Guidelines on risk assessment developed by the International Maritime Organization.

(2) Any exemptions granted under this regulation shall not impair or damage the environment, human health, property or (BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT CONVENTION)

resources of adjacent or other States. Any State that Malta determines may be adversely affected shall be consulted, with a view to resolving any identified concerns.

(3) Any exemptions granted under this article shall be recorded in the Ballast Water record book.