What is Ballast Water?
Ballast water is taken on by ships to maintain stability and proper immersion when cargo is discharged, and it is pumped out when cargo is loaded.
It helps ships stay balanced and stable during transit by adjusting their weight distribution.
How Serious is the Problem?
Ballast water often carries invasive species, like the charru mussel (Mytella strigata), which can disrupt local ecosystems.
In India, invasive species from ballast water have harmed ecosystems, like Pulicat Lake and Ashtamudi Lake, where native species are being replaced.
What are Global Regulations?
The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) came into effect in 2017.
Ships must treat ballast water to remove or neutralize harmful organisms before discharge.
New ships must have treatment systems, while older ships must exchange ballast water with open-ocean water.
Countries like Australia and New Zealand enforce rigorous checks to prevent ballast water-related damage to their marine ecosystems.
What is India’s Position?
India has not signed the BWM Convention, so ships at Indian ports are not required to follow its regulations.
There are no specific checks or restrictions on ballast water discharge in Indian ports.
Ports are not held responsible, but vessel owners could be liable if evidence links ballast water discharge to invasive species.
Advocates suggest India should adopt the BWM Convention.
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