<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (Ballast Water Management Convention) 2004, is an international maritime treaty which requires Signatory flag states to ensure that ships flagged by them comply with standards and procedures for the management and control of ships' ballast water and sediments . The Convention aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to another and halt damage to the marine environment from ballast water discharge, by minimising the uptake and subsequent discharge of sediments and organisms . From 2024 all ships are required to have approved Ballast Water Management Treatment System, according to the D2 standard (see below). Existing ships are required to install an approved system, which may cost up to 5 million USD per ship to install . To assist with implementation the IMO has released 14 Guidance documents in regards to the Convention including the G2 Guidelines for Ballast Water Sampling, G4 Guidelines for Ballast Water management and G6 Guidelines for Ballast Water Exchange . </P> <P> The first scientifically recognised occurrence of a non-indigenous marine species being transported in ships water occurred in the North Sea in 1903, with the Asian phytoplankton Odontella appearing . The issue became more prevalent with the increase in shipping in the late 20th century and the issue was raised for the first time at the IMO in 1988 . Following several years of development, the Convention was adopted by the International Maritime Organization in 2004 . To enter into force, the Convention required ratification by a minimum of 30 States, representing 35% of world merchant shipping tonnage, subject to which it would enter into force 12 months later . On 8th September 2016, Finland acceded to the Convention, bringing the contracting states to 52 and the combined tonnage of States to 35.14% . This triggered the applicability of the entry into force date of the Convention, which occurred on the 8th September 2017 . Since Finland, a number of States have continued to accede, bringing the total as of 8th September 2017 to 66 contracting States, representing 74.89% of world merchant shipping tonnage . </P>

When did the ballast water management convention entry into force