Hamburg, 31 May 2024 – In a move to safeguard marine ecosystems, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is set to implement tighter regulations regarding the treatment of ballast water in ports starting from September 2024. This decision aims to curb the spread of invasive species, a threat posed by the discharge of untreated ballast water into coastal areas. As part of this initiative, ships lacking proper treatment systems or facing operational issues will now have the option to treat their ballast water within the port of Hamburg.
The Authority for the Environment, Climate, Energy, and Agriculture (BUKEA) has recently granted a license to Bawat BaaS and Jongen, a Hamburg-based waste management company, to operate a mobile ballast water treatment facility. This strategic collaboration ensures that vessels docking at the port of Hamburg can adhere to the new regulations while facilitating smooth operations.
Jens Kerstan, Senator for the Environment, Climate, Energy, and Agriculture, emphasized the importance of maintaining environmental integrity, stating, “Ballast water must be cleaned to protect our environment and our seas. Invasive organisms can spread uncontrollably and significantly disturb the native balance.” He expressed satisfaction with the partnership between Bawat BaaS and Jongen, affirming its role in ensuring the uninterrupted flow of shipping activities in Hamburg while promoting the discharge of only purified ballast water into the port.
Background
The International Ballast Water Convention, which came into effect on 7 September 2017, mandates the treatment of ballast water to prevent the transfer of harmful organisms during discharge. As of 8 September 2024, all seagoing vessels are required to have appropriate ballast water treatment systems in place when discharging ballast water in ports. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in ships being barred from discharging untreated ballast water, leading to potential delays or reduced cargo loads.
The convention addresses concerns regarding the inadvertent transfer of organisms such as bacteria and algae between different marine environments through ballast water. These non-native species pose a significant threat to local ecosystems, potentially causing irreversible damage to marine biodiversity.
