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Invasive Species Compliance – Why Monitor Ballast Water?

15.03.2023

Excerpt: Why are invasive species problematic? As unavoidable as it might sound for any successful species to expand its geography, today’s world is one in which a species can end up transported 10s of 1000s of km away from its native range, which can quickly create an unnatural imbalance, and which is why compliance is now mandatory. Invasive species are problematic for various reasons: Factors (ie predators) that limit the invasive species where it came from are either absent in the new area, or Invasive species outcompete native species for resources and quickly become dominant, or Invasive species act as a vector for viruses and diseases that the native species do not have resistance for. The latter has been a particularRead more

What is Invasive Species Dispersal by Ballast Water?

01.03.2023

Excerpt: How does Invasive Species Dispersal in Ballast Water Occur? As vessels take on ballast water in one location, they can inadvertently pick up aquatic organisms. Such organisms can then be transported to a different location when the ship discharges its ballast water. If the new environment is suitable for the organisms, they can establish populations, becoming invasive species. Ballast water discharge can occur in both coastal and open ocean environments, increasing the potential for invasive species to spread to new areas. What are the Ecological Impacts of Ballast Water Invasive Species Dispersal? The ecological impacts of invasive species dispersed by ballast water can be significant. These species can outcompete native species for food and habitat, altering entire ecosystems. They canRead more

Invasive Species in the Marine Environment

23.01.2023

Excerpt: FastBallast is capable of determining the phytoplankton cell density of ballast water at the IMO D2 & USCG Discharge Standards (10 to 50 µm range) with a higher degree of confidence than laboratory analysis. As well as its established presence in Europe and Asia, Chelsea Technologies’ FastBallast is in use worldwide, to help ensure industry tools for portable ballast water testing standards. What is an Invasive Species? An invasive species is an organism that is not indigenous, or native, to a particular area; it has ‘invaded’ an area and hence the very specific description ‘invasive’. It is not the same as a successful or rampant species that’s native to the area. Successful species can and do of course extend theirRead more

Compliance Testing on Sea Vessels

15.12.2022

Excerpt: The IMO was established following agreement at a UN conference held in Geneva in 1948 and came into existence ten years later, meeting for the first time in 1959. Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, IMO currently has 175 Member States and three Associate Members. Amongst other regulatory responsibilities, the IMO also has responsibility the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships and for the prevention of invasive species in ballast water. Wash water compliance On January 1st, 2020, a new IMO compliance limit on the sulphur content (SOx) in the fuel oil used onboard ships came into force. Known as IMO 2020, the rule limits the sulphur in the fuel oil used on board ships operating outside designated emissionRead more

Fluorescence Ballast Water Testing: STAF or PAM?

31.01.2022

Excerpt: Fluorescence ballast water testing tools come in two varieties: STAF (Single Turnover Active Fluorometry) and PAM (Multiple Turnover Pulse Amplitude Modulated). In this article, we’re taking a look at some of the key differences that set these two techniques apart, and how these differences impact the results of ballast water compliance testing. Ballast water testing: why? Ballast water is defined as water taken on board a ship to control trim, list, draught, stability or stresses of the ship. Ballast water operations are essential for the safe operation of ships and a perfectly standard part of shipping – ballast water provides stability and maneuverability both during voyages and during loading and unloading operations. Ships are designed and built to move throughRead more

Fluorescence Ballast Water Testing: STAF or PAM

Ballast Water Webinar Week

17.01.2022

Excerpt: Chelsea Technologies’ Michael Haraldsson joins the panel this week at Ballast Water Webinar Week to discuss the many issues that are surfacing around commissioning testing. The amendments to regulation E-1 of the BWM Convention adopted by MECP 74 require biological efficacy testing when commissioning a BWTS on board a vessel. But what happens if the commissioning test is unsuccessful? Beginning Tuesday 18 January, Ballast Water Webinar Week will be holding a series of webinars focused on deadlines, commissioning tests and shipowner requirements for 2022 and 2023. Each webinar is meticulously researched and speaks to a key industry challenge, headache or opportunity. Registration is free, to register, please sign up here. See also: Fastballast at Ballast Water Webinar Week Chelsea Technologies’ FastballastRead more

Being sure about ballast water compliance

21.10.2020

Excerpt: Shipping companies have a degree of responsibility over ballast water compliance and whether they actually manage to remove organisms from ballast water before discharging. How can this be best done? Tanker Operator magazine spoke to Chelsea Technologies. Just buying and installing a type approved ballast water system may not be enough to guarantee regulatory compliance, says Matt Kenney, head of marketing with Chelsea Technologies, a UK specialist in sensor design and manufacture. Shipping companies have a degree of responsibility over whether the ballast water they discharge contains organisms above the allowed limit. In most maritime state legislatures, ship operators are deemed accountable for “knowing” that they discharged pollutants into territorial waters. In the US, ship operators can be prosecuted forRead more

Sampling helps BWM compliance

12.06.2020

Excerpt: Our Maritime Manager, Emma Johnson, recently spoke to International Tug& OSV Magazine & Annual Review on the importance of accurate and cost-effective ballast water monitoring in safeguarding compliance. Check out the full article on p.67. http://www.tugandosv.com/flipbook/4746860030i-67Read more

Effective Ballast Water Monitoring in 3 Easy Steps

01.06.2020

Excerpt: The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (2004) – herein referred to as the ‘BW Convention’ – is now an integrated part of operating a modern shipping fleet. Since 2017, all compliant ships have been employing a certified ballast water management plan, and any applicable vessels not yet fitted with a suitable ballast water treatment system should now be scheduled to install one before the next International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) survey. By 2024, every vessel engaged on international voyages and fitted with a sea water ballast system should be in compliance with the ‘D-2’ standard for Ballast Water treatment, relegating the ‘D-1’ standard for ballast water exchange to a contingency measure, shouldRead more