"Invasive aquatic species are one of the four greatest threats to the world's oceans" – International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Introduction

Ballast water management is a serious challenge for anybody who is involved in international shipping. The problem of invasive foreign species has drastically expanded along with trade and traffic volume over the last few decades with devastating effect. Bio-invasions caused by aggressively invasive species continue to increase at an alarming rate.

The Problem

Shipping moves over 80% of the world’s commodities and transfers approximately 3 to 5 billion tonnes of ballast water internationally each year. A similar volume may also be transferred domestically within countries and regions each year. Ballast water is absolutely essential to the safe and efficient operation of modern shipping, providing balance and stability to un-laden ships. However, it may also pose serious threats. The impact can be divided into three main areas;

·      Ecological – native biodiversity and/or ecological process is disrupted by the invading species.

·      Economical – fisheries, coastal industry and other commercial activities and resources are disrupted by invading species. Estimated cost of these invasive species exceeds US$ 138 billion per year in the US alone.

·      Human Health – when toxic organisms, diseases and pathogens are introduced through ballast water, they can cause illness and even death.