BALLAST WATER : ENVIRONMENT

BALLAST WATER : ENVIRONMENT

NEWS : The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) has charged that Kamarajar Port is the main reason for the spread of the invasive species by not regulating the ballast water from ships.

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

Ballast Water

  1. Definition:
    • Ballast water is water taken into a ship's ballast tanks to improve stability and control, especially when the ship unloads its cargo.
    • Before the 1880s, ships used solid materials like rocks and sand as ballast, which had to be manually loaded and unloaded.
  2. Transition to Water as Ballast:
    • With the advent of steel-hulled ships and automatic pumping technologies in the 20th century, water became the preferred ballast material.
    • Water ballast can be easily pumped into and out of a ship's ballast tanks, adjusting the ship's stability as needed.
  3. Function of Ballast Water:
    • Ballast water is pumped into a ship when extra weight is needed for stability, such as after unloading cargo.
    • It is pumped out when the ship is taking on cargo and no longer needs the extra weight.
    • Ballast water tanks are integral to a ship's design, with size and number varying based on the ship type and construction.
  4. Why Use Water as Ballast?
    • Reduces stress on the ship’s hull.
    • Provides transverse stability, improving propulsion and maneuverability.
    • Compensates for weight changes due to cargo load levels and fuel/water consumption.
    • Generally, ballast water equates to 25-30% of a ship's deadweight tonnage, including cargo, fuel, and other essentials.
  5. Environmental Concerns:
    • Invasive Alien Species:
      • When ballast water is loaded, it often contains sediments, bacteria, microbes, small invertebrates, and other aquatic organisms.
      • When discharged in new locations, these organisms can disrupt local ecosystems by becoming invasive species.
      • Without natural predators, these species can thrive and outcompete local species, causing ecological and economic damage.
  6. International Measures:
    • Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention:
      • Adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and came into force in 2017.
      • Requires ships to manage their ballast water to remove or neutralize harmful aquatic organisms before discharging the water.
      • Modern ships often have ballast water management systems that treat the water with chemicals before it is discharged.
      • Older ships without such systems must exchange ballast water with "neutral" water from the open ocean.
  7. Regional Vulnerabilities:
    • Australia and New Zealand:
      • Both countries are highly vigilant about ballast water due to their ecologically sensitive marine environments.
      • Australia, with its Great Barrier Reef, is particularly stringent in checking ballast water management to prevent ecological damage.
  8. Indian Context:
    • Invasive Species in India:
      • Nearly 30 invasive species have been recorded in India, introduced through ballast water.
      • Notable example: The Charru mussel (Mytella Rigata) has caused significant ecological shifts in lakes like Pulicat and Ashtamudi by outcompeting native species.
    • India's Position on BWM Convention:
      • India is not a contracting state to the BWM Convention, meaning there is no legal obligation for ships to manage ballast water according to the convention's standards.
      • However, other environmental regulations, like those related to oil discharge, are enforced in Indian ports.
    • Indian Initiatives:
      • Indian scientists have developed eco-friendly ballast water treatment technology based on ‘hydrodynamic cavitation,’ patented in the United States.
      • Action plans for ballast water management have been developed for major ports, including electronic reporting systems to track ballast water details.
  9. Way Forward:
    • India should consider becoming a contracting state to the BWM Convention.
    • Develop and implement a national ballast water management plan.
    • Ships should obtain certification confirming compliance with ballast management regulations.
    • Maintain records and undergo inspections to ensure adherence to international standards.
  10. Invasive Alien Species:
    • Defined as non-native species that can cause economic or environmental harm or negatively affect human health.
    • They often lead to the decline or extinction of native species and disrupt local ecosystems.
    • Invasive alien species have been a significant factor in nearly 40% of all animal extinctions since the 17th century.

 

Source :  https://maritime-professionals.com/what-is-ballast-water/