Ballast Water Management System

Ballast Water Management System

1.Ballast Water Management System Description

The ship ballast water treatment system is a device to treat the ballast water discharged by the ship into the sea. Also known as ship ballast water management system, referred to as BWMS. The ballast water treatment system mainly has two methods: ultraviolet disinfection and nitrogen disinfection. Being a relatively more mature disinfection technology, compared to other disinfection technologies, ultraviolet disinfection does not produce active substances, does not pose an occupational hazard to crew, more economical and environmentally friendly. Nitrogen disinfection has no effect to the sea, and any by-products to effect the environment, crews and public. The nitrogen is good anti-corrosion for the ballast tank, so it can save the ship maintenance cost.

Ballast Water Management System
UV Ballast Water Management System	Nitrogen Ballast Water Treatment System

2. Status of the Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) Convention

The Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) Convention entered into force on 8 September 2017.

A key international measure for environmental protection that aims to stop the spread of potentially invasive aquatic species in ships’ ballast water enters into force today (8 September 2017).

The International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM Convention) requires ships to manage their ballast water to remove harmful substances, or avoid discharge of aquatic organisms and pathogens within ballast water and sediments.

The BWM Convention was adopted in 2004 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for developing global standards for ship safety and security and for the protection of the marine environment and the atmosphere from any harmful impacts of shipping.

3. Ballast Water Management System Treaty Requirements

Under the Convention, all ships in international traffic are required to manage their ballast water and sediments to a certain standard, according to a ship-specific ballast water management plan. All ships  have to carry a ballast water record book and an international ballast water management certificate. The ballast water management standards are being phased in over a period of time. New ships must meet the ballast water treatment standard. Existing ships should exchange ballast water mid-ocean but they will need to meet the ballast water treatment standard by the date of a specified renewal survey. Eventually, most ships will need to install an on-board ballast water treatment system.

Ballast Water Treatment Standard D-2
Organism Type	Required Regulation
Organisms,≥50μm minimum dimension	<10cells/ m3
Organisms, <50μm and ≥10μm minimum dimension	<10cells/ml
Toxicogenic Vibrio cholerae (serotypes O1 and O39)	<1cfu/100ml,or <1cfu/g(wet weight)of zooplankton samples
Escherichia coli	<250cfu/100ml
Intestinal Enterococci	<100cfu/100ml

4. Treat Flow of BWMS

5. Picture of Marine Ballast Water Management System

6. Ballast Water Management System Certificates

ABS, BV, DNV, GL, KR, RINA, NK,USCG, and CCS class certificates