FAIR Exchange?

摘要

While there is universal agreement that resolving the ballast water debate is the foremost environmental issue confronting the marine engineering community today — indeed the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has identified the introduction of invasive species into new environments as one of the four greatest threats to the world's oceans — the absence of either a definitive ballast water treatment solution or clear-cut regulatory guideline, has divided the industry on what is the most effective method of ballast water management: ballast water exchange or ballast water treatment. The specific requirements for ballast water management are contained in regulation B-3 Ballast Water Management for Ships of the IMO Ballast Water Convention adopted at IMO back in February (see table). While clear on performance criteria and phase-in deadlines for improved ballast water treatment systems, key questions concerning design and equipment remain unresolved.