Ballast Water Treatment Systems
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC/Circular.1021 – Design Suggestions for Ballast Water and Sediment Management Options in New Ships – (Adopted on 21 March 2002) - Annex - Design Suggestions for Ballast Water and Sediment Management Options in New Ships - 2 Considerations at the design phase of new ships - Ballast Water Treatment Systems

Ballast Water Treatment Systems

  2.16 Where a ballast water management system other than ballast water exchange is to be used, equipment chosen should provide for complete treatment of all ballast water including storm ballast water. A number of alternative treatment options are under development for managing ballast water. Due consideration should be given before selecting any system to the equipment and space requirements, effectiveness in inactivating or removing aquatic organisms and pathogens, environmental soundness, and to operational, maintenance and manpower requirements. Adequate provisions should also be made for additional power requirements.

  2.17 Minimizing or removal of the risk to crew members whilst involving in the ballast water operation should also be considered. This should include, but not be limited to, exposure to machinery, entering enclosed spaces or working excessive hours and training.

  2.18 Where a treatment method using heat is to be used, the design should analyse additional power demands and insulation requirements.

  2.19 Where heat treatment of the ballast water using waste heat from the main engine is contemplated, appropriate piping and pump arrangements should be installed to facilitate the sequential flushing of the ballast water. If ballast water is intended to remain at an elevated temperature for several hours to inactivate harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens contained in sediments, attention should be given to the consequences.

  2.20 Where chemical and biocide treatments are envisaged the safety and environmental aspects of stowage, storage and application of such substances should be considered, in particular:

  • .1 the allocation of appropriate storage areas (either on deck or adjacent to the ballast pump/pipework area in the engine room or in a designated room), preparation spaces and appropriate pipework fittings to allow the chemical/biocide to be added by an appropriate metering and mixing system to the ballast water line; and

  • .2 the Ballast Water Management Plan should contain advice to ships' personnel on the safe handling of toxic or corrosive chemicals carried on board for the purpose of dosing or otherwise treating ballast water, taking into account any instructions issued by the treatment system manufacturer.

  2.21 Where filtration systems are envisaged adequate provision should be made for their installation, maintenance and repair, including provision of adequate replacement filters. Filtration systems should be sized so that they can be operated at a reasonable capacity for ballast water use. Provision should be made for the environmentally sound disposal of filter backwash.

  2.22 Where cyclone type systems are envisaged adequate provision should be made for their installation, maintenance and repair. Cyclone type systems should be sized so that they can be operated at a reasonable capacity for ballast water use. Provision should be made for disposal of cyclone concentrates as for filtration systems.

  2.23 Installation of ultra-violet irradiation systems should pay due attention to the need for some form of pre-filtration of the ballast water prior to treatment.

  2.24 Other potential treatment systems, e.g., ozonization, oxygen deprivation, electro-ionization, will have specific installation, operation, maintenance and repair parameters that will need to be addressed.

  2.25 Any ballast water treatment system should incorporate adequate monitoring systems to ensure its effective operation.

Parent topic: 2 Considerations at the design phase of new ships
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