There are about 100 ballast water systems that have been type approved by IMO and about 10 approved by USCG. Generally, most technologies involve methods of filtering off bacteria and pathogen cells larger than 50 microns in the first stage, and then follow by the processes of actively killing the remaining bacteria and pathogens with treatment options such as UV light, electrochlorination, deoxygenation, heating/pasteurisation, injection of active substances, for example.
Every ocean and environment has a proper balance of organisms and species. It is the ecological balance we should protect and not to disturb.
The problem with the current water ballast treatment systems is that they need a lot of energy for the treatment which causes more pollution to the air while trying to save the health of the ocean. The systems also often come with high cost requiring retrofit work for existing ships above 400 gt.
THERE MUST BE A BETTER METHOD TO PROTECT THE AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM.
In fact, IMO has recommended in its guidelines, verbatim, that a “more exhaustive list of standard methods and innovative research techniques be considered” in anticipation of the evolution of better methodologies.
Water covers 70% of the earth’s surface. There is plenty of water available that meets the ballast water discharge standard. This large amount of compliant water can be put to good use to solve the human-made problem of transportation of invasive species in the ballast water of ships without aggressive treatments.
Bos Natural Ballast is first of its kind ballast water management system that uses a ballast water measuring and monitoring feedback methodology to ensure compliance to D2 standard without the increased GHG emission and enormous CAPEX/OPEX. Most BWTS in the market do not have any feedback nor monitor their discharge although certified.