Ballast water test facility

The introduction of invasive marine species into new environments by ships ballast water has been identified as one of the greatest threats to the sea ecosystems worldwide. The problem of invasive species is largely due to the expanded trade and traffic volume over the last few decades.

It is estimated that about three-10 billion tonnes of ballast water are transferred globally each year, potentially transferring from one location to another species of sea life that may prove ecologically harmful when released into a non-native environment.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ship’s Ballast Water and Sediments to reduce the risk of spreading harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens released with ballast water.

The convention requires that all ships install Ballast Water Management Systems (BWMS) to treat the ballast water before it is released to the environment.

For verification of BWMS performance DHI has build up a land-based test facility using natural freshwater, brackish and high saline seawater at Hundested Harbour in Denmark.

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