Ballast water treatment
As a global provider of ocean transportation, we walk a fine line – striking a delicate balance between keeping pace with global demand and limiting the environmental impact of our operations.We are addressing the threat to marine ecosystems posed by transporting alien marine species in ships’ ballast water at a more rapid pace than required by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO Ballast Water Convention (BWC) calls for the installation of ballast water treatment systems on all vessels. However, the convention has not yet been ratified.
In 2008, two new vessels were fitted with chemical-free ballast water treatment systems, bringing the total number of vessels that WWL operates equipped with ballast water treatment systems to three. We actively support the ratification of the BWC, and plans to retrofit additional vessels and install new ballast water treatment systems are underway.
We are also working with WWF to garner support from IMO member states. To further support the need to treat, rather than simply exchange ballast water, WWL is conducting a water-sampling project in conjunction with the nine-month, round-the-world Volvo Ocean Race. Crews are collecting water samples along the race route, testing them onboard to determine the amount of microorganisms they contain, and sending results electronically to scientists for evaluation.
The project aims to: raise public awareness about invasive species, support the passage of legislation to prohibit the release of untreated ballast water into the oceans, and expand the knowledge base by collecting information about the invasive species threat.