AA
	Regulation of ballast water and the marine environment

Regulation of ballast water and the marine environment

Around the world more than 10 billion tons (m3/h) of ballast water are carried in ships each year, containing thousands of species of aquatic animals and plants, creating problems for the marine environment and human health, threatening the aquatic flora and economies that depend on healthy aquatic ecosystems.

The transportation of ballast water cannot be stopped, but the transfer of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens can be minimized by deep sea exchange or suitable treatment.

The INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF SHIPS’ BALLAST WATER AND SEDIMENTS, 2004, mandates that all ships that carry ballast water install a treatment system by the year 2016. The OptiMarinBallast System is one that meets the stringent requirements put forward in the convention.

Land and Shipboard Test summary report (.pdf)

	Status Ratification BWM Convention Updated list of contracting states :: Read more
	National Requirements BWM Status of different nations requirements on Ballast Water Management :: Read more
	Timeline for compliance Regulation B-3 Ballast Water Management for Ships :: Read more
	Performance standard Regulation D2 Ballast Water Performance Standard :: Read more
	Global IMO Standards The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water & Sediments was adopted by Diplomatic Conference at IMO in London, February 2004. :: Read more
	Enirvonmental Issues The introduction of invasive marine species into new environments by ships’ ballast water, attached to ships’ hulls and via other vectors has been identified as one of the four greatest threats to the world’s oceans. The other three are land-based sources of marine pollution, overexploitation of living marine resources and physical alteration/destruction of marine habitat. :: Read more