9.1
Precautionary practices
9.11
Minimizing uptake of harmful
aquatic organisms, pathogens and sediments
When loading ballast, every effort should be made to avoid
the uptake of potentially harmful aquatic organisms, pathogens and
sediment that may contain such organisms. The uptake of ballast water
should be minimized or, where practicable, avoided in areas and situations
such as:
- areas identified by the port State in connection with advice relating
to 8.2.2 above;
- in darkness when bottom dwelling organisms may rise up in the
water column;
- in very shallow water; or
- where propellers may stir up sediment.
9.1.2
Removing Ballast Sediment
on a Timely Basis
Where practicable, routine cleaning of the ballast tank
to remove sediments should be carried out in mid-ocean or under controlled
arrangements in port or dry dock, in accordance with the provisions
of the ship's ballast water management plan.
9.1.3
Avoiding Unnecessary
Discharge of Ballast Water
If it is necessary to take on and discharge ballast water
in the same port to facilitate safe cargo operations, care should
be taken to avoid unnecessary discharge of ballast water that has
been taken up in another port.
9.2
Ballast water management
options
9.2.1
Ballast water exchange
Near-coastal (including port and estuarine) organisms released
in mid-ocean and oceanic organisms released in coastal waters do not
generally survive.
When exchanging ballast at sea, guidance on safety aspects of
ballast water exchange as set out in appendix
2 should be taken into account. Furthermore, the following
practices are recommended:
- where practicable, ships should conduct ballast exchange in deep
water, in open ocean and as far as possible from shore. Where this
is not possible, requirements developed within regional agreements
may be in operation, particularly in areas within 200 nautical miles
from shore. Consistent with 9.1.2 above,
all of the ballast water should be discharged until suction is lost,
and stripping pumps or eductors should be used if possible;
- where the flow-through method is employed in open ocean by pumping
ballast water into the tank or hold and allowing the water to overflow,
at least three times the tank volume should be pumped through the
tank;
- where neither form of open ocean exchange is practicable, ballast
exchange may be accepted by the port State in designated areas; and
- other ballast exchange options approved by the port State.
9.2.2
Non-release or minimal
release of ballast water
In cases where ballast exchange or other treatment options
are not possible, ballast water may be retained in tanks or holds.
Should this not be possible, the ship should only discharge the minimum
essential amount of ballast water in accordance with port States'
contingency strategies.
9.2.3
Discharge to reception
facilities
If reception facilities for ballast water and/or sediments
are provided by a port State, they should, where appropriate, be utilized.
9.2.4
Emergent and new technologies
and treatments
9.2.4.1 If suitable new and emergent treatments
and technologies prove viable, these may substitute for, or be used
in conjunction with, current options. Such treatments could include
thermal methods, filtration, disinfection including ultraviolet light,
and other such means acceptable to the port State.
9.2.4.2 Results concerning the application and
effectiveness of new ballast water management technologies and associated
control equipment should be notified to the Organization with a view
to evaluation and incorporation, as appropriate, into these Guidelines.