Tag: invasive species

The Government of Canada is taking action to limit the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species in ballast water.

Following the release of the first industry standard on in-water cleaning of ships, developed by BIMCO and ICS, IMO asked to include it in its on-going work.

Biological invasions are responsible for substantial biodiversity declines as well as high economic losses to society and monetary expenditures associated with the management of these invasion.

Climate Investor Two has approved an investment that could amount to 24.5 million euro to support the lease of Damen’s portable ballast water treatment solution.

BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) have published the first industry standard on in-water cleaning of ships, aiming to combat the issue of invasive species to local marine environments and provide clarity and quality assurance to shipowners, ports and government authorities. 

The regulatory amendments in section 2298.5 in Article 4.8 of Title 2, Division 3 of Chapter 1 of the California Code of Regulations enter into force on 1 January 2021. This will change the way ships should submit information through the Marine Invasive Species Program Annual Vessel Reporting Form.

During the 2020 GREEN4SEA Athens Forum, Dr. Efi Tsolaki, Chief Scientific Officer, ERMA FIRST S.A. highlighted that invasive aquatic species are a major threat to the marine ecosystems, and shipping has been identified as a vital pathway for introducing species to new environments.

The Suez canal, connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, has created a direct shipping route between the East and the West. However, over the years, the invasive species have increased the risk of extinction for native marine life, while they have also changed the Mediterranean ecosystem with potentially devastating consequences, according to scientists.

The untreated ballast water has a negative impact on the marine species and marine environment, often resulting to the increase of the non-native organisms, disrupting the food chain, interfering with infrastructure by incapacitating power plants, disrupting water supply, and spreading deadly diseases.

Amendments to an international treaty aiming to prevent the spread of potentially invasive species in ships' ballast water entered into force on 13 October 2019. The amendments set out an implementation schedule to make sure that ships manage their ballast water to meet a specified standard (D-2 standard).