Ballast water is fundamental for maintaining a ship’s stability during voyages. Yet, it carries a hidden threat: the unintentional transport of invasive species across ecosystems. According to Frontiers in Marine Science, just 13% of the more than 2,000 ballast water studies include real world sampling, highlighting a critical research gap and the urgent need for effective treatment systems.
The Environmental Toll of Untreated Ballast Water
Every year, ships transport approximately 10 billion tonnes of ballast water, carrying an estimated 7,000 living species globally, many of which become invasive upon discharge.
A stark reminder is the invasive comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi, introduced to the Black Sea in the 1980s via ballast water. Within a few years, its exploding population wiped out local anchovy fisheries, resulting in losses of €8 million annually in the Adriatic Sea.
Such invasions don’t just disrupt biodiversity, they cause billions in economic damage, clog industrial intake screens, and compromise public health. One global case study notes that zebra mussels another, ballast-transferred species, blocked U.S. freshwater systems, costing utilities millions.
From IMO Standards to National Law
The IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) came into force in September 2017, and by mid‑2021, 86 countries representing over 91% of the world’s merchant fleet had ratified it.
The Convention mandates ships meet either:
D-1 (open-ocean ballast interchange), or
D-2 (approved ballast water treatment systems BWTS).
As of Sept 2024, all ships must comply with D-2 standards, installing approved BWTS retrofits that can spike up the cost of a ship.
Treatment Effectiveness: what the studies had shown already
Recent field studies paint a complex but encouraging picture, a ResearchGate analysis found that combining open-ocean exchange with onboard treatment significantly reduces the invasion rate of zooplankton and harmful algae in Canadian ports
A 2014 evaluation revealed that filtration systems cut copepods and cladocerans, but less so veligers, indicating that multistage treatments are crucial for meeting discharge standards.
Chlorine dioxide treatments have shown strong efficacy against invasive species onboard, per shipboard trials.
Advances using UV radiation, heat, microwaves, and metagenomic monitoring tools are further raising the bar on treatment accuracy and compliance.
However, no single method fully eliminates all organisms. Some hardy microorganisms even regrow inside ballast tanks pre-discharge, underscoring the importance of voyage planning and quality assurance .
Our Approach at EVOMARINE
We integrate best practice insights and cutting-edge technologies into practical, efficient offerings:
Custom Retrofits
Tailored BWTS solutions for all vessel types, leveraging filtration, UV, chemical or hybrid methods.
Global Drydock Network
Strategic facilities enabling rapid, compliant installations across regions.
D‑1 & D‑2 Compliance Support
Systems Integration BWTS seamlessly integrated with vessel management tools, enabling real-time monitoring and reporting.
Business & Industry Benefits
Regulatory Compliance, mitigate the risk of port detentions, fines, and denials.
Environmental Impact
Cut invasive species transport and align with sustainability and ESG commitments.
Asset Value
Retrofitted vessels are more attractive on the second-hand market.
Operational Resilience
Improved system reliability and reduced maintenance interruptions.
Ballast water treatment is no longer optional, it is essential. Data-driven research confirms that multi-stage BWTS dramatically reduce invasion risk, and upcoming global mandates ensure every vessel must comply.
At EVOMARINE, we combine pioneering technology, global infrastructure, and operational excellence to help you meet this challenge profitably and responsibly.
Contact us to discuss fully compliant, bespoke BWTS solutions that secure your fleet’s future.
