A review of ballast water technologies

Abstract

Marine vessel ballast water has been identified as a key factor responsible for the transfer and introduction of harmful organisms into non-indigenous environments.This has been identified as one of the four greatest threats to the world's oceans, The significance of ballast water transferral of species has led to diverse research and development into ballast water treatment methods. Despite the number of ballast water management techniques in development, at present ballast water exchange is the only technique widely used. This literature review summarises the ballast water treatment techniques currently at a research or development stage. An assessment of the potential effectiveness of each method, its corrosion implications and economic cost are all presented together with preliminary recommendations.