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Ballast vessel meaning12/28/2023 The zebra mussels’ invasion of the Great Lakes is one example of the devastation a species can cause when introduced to a new marine environment. Zebra Mussels, native to the Black and Caspian Seas are invasive to some of Canada’s lakes and rivers Without their natural predators and given the right conditions these foreign species will not only survive but can also flourish, becoming invasive and threatening and even eliminating resident populations. When the ballast water is discharged, the organisms are released into the local marine environment. Many of these organisms are able to survive for extended periods in inhospitable environments, including a ship’s ballast tanks. These organisms include bacteria, microbes, small invertebrates, eggs, cysts, and larvae of various species. When ballast water is pumped into a ship, sediment and microscopic organisms are also transferred into the ballast tanks. Loading and unloading untreated ballast water can pose a major threat to the environment, public health and the economy as ships become a carrier for the transfer and spread of threatening invasive aquatic species, from one part of the world’s oceans to another. Ballasting is not to be confused with “bunkering” – the process by which a ship’s fuel tanks (called bunker tanks) are filled with the marine fuel (called bunker fuel) needed for the voyage. It also provides stability and manoeuvrability during a ship’s voyage.Ī commercial ship ballasting and de-ballasting to balance its cargo loadīallasting – the process by which a commercial vessel pumps water in or out its ballast tanks while in transit or at a port – is essential for safety, especially if the ship is carrying a heavy load in one hold and a lighter load in another, or empty and facing rough seas. Ballast is used to compensate for different cargo loads that a ship may carry at different times, including changes in weight during loading and unloading. It is used to adjust the distribution and overall weight of the vessel to keep the ship floating upright and in a safe, stable condition. Why is ballast water important?īallast water is crucial for the safe operation of ships. Ships can have a range of ballast capabilities and capacities, but generally ballast equates to 25% to 30% of the weight the ship can carry – including cargo, fuel, crew, passengers, food, and water – or its dead weight tonnage. Ballast water can be disposed of on land while ships are at berth however, this practice is not common as it is costly and requires specialized equipment and complex processes.īallast tanks are an integral part of a ship’s design with their number and size varying according to the vessel’s type and construction. Ballast water is pumped out into the ocean when it is no longer needed (when the weight of the ship needs to be lightened) – for example, when the ship is taking on cargo. When ships need ballast, water is easily pumped into ballast tanks from the sea or the inland waters where the ship is located, which adds weight to the bottom and sides of the vessel. With the introduction of steel-hulled ships and automatic pumping technologies in the 20 th century, water became a safer ballast material for ships. If not properly secured, solid ballast could shift in heavy seas, risking capsizing. Prior to the 1880s, ships used solid ballast materials such as rocks and sand, which people had to shovel into and out of cargo holds. What is ballast water?īallast is extra weight added to a ship when it unloads its cargo – without it, the ship would pop out of the water like a cork and could become unstable. Proper management and treatment of ballast water significantly reduces this risk. Although it is essential for the safety of the ship, ballast water can be harmful to the marine environment as its discharge can release potentially invasive species into a new marine environment. Large cargo ships use ballast water to balance their weight and keep them stable during a voyage.
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