Ballast water

Ballast Water

Ballast water is water carried in ships' ballast tanks to improve stability, balance and trim. It is taken up or discharged when cargo is unloaded or loaded, or when a ship needs extra stability in foul weather. In the process, plants and animals that live in the water can be carried from one area to another.

History

The use of ballast water in maritime transport has been a common practice since the steel-hulled vessels have been introduced. Early ships carried solid ballast in the form of rocks, sand, or heavy cargo. Once the steam engines were invented, the need for heavy ballast was reduced, but the need for balance remained. Water is used as ballast to stabilize vessels at sea.

Environmental Impact

Ballast water discharge typically contains a variety of biological materials, including plants, animals, viruses, and bacteria. These materials often include non-native, nuisance, exotic species that can cause extensive ecological and economic damage to aquatic ecosystems.

Ballast Water Management

Ballast water management aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to another, and to halt damage to the marine environment from ballast water discharge. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been at the forefront of efforts to limit the spread of invasive species by ships' ballast water.

Ballast Water Treatment

Ballast water treatment is the process of treating ballast water in order to remove, kill, or inactivate organisms prior to discharge. Ballast water treatment is distinct from the older process of ballast water exchange, a process which is no longer widely used in new ships.

See Also

• International Maritime Organization
• Invasive species
• Marine pollution

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