Marine pollution from ships' ballast water

Abstract

Today, ballast water is the most common method used in vessels to regulate stability, to increase draught, to improve trim, and hence, to ensure a safe voyage.

These waters, which are carried by ships in variable quantities, are loaded at the source port and are discharged sometimes thousands of miles away at the destination port. This entails the introduction of organisms, at different stages of their life cycles, that may cause a zoological pollution which could threaten the survival of the vegetation and animal species of the area where the ballast water is discharged.

There is increasing concern about this problem which is severely affecting the marine environment. The International Maritime Organisation is being urged to update and complete its present regulations on this issue.