Instalacje do odbioru statkowych wód balastowych i osadów – przeciwdziałanie szkodliwym organizmom morskim i patogenom w portach bałtyckich

Abstract

Shipping is regarded as a main factor for the accidental introductions of non-indigenous aquatic organisms. Therefore, in 2004 the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments was adopted by the IMO. To facilitate global and uniform implementation of the Convention, a number of guidelines have been developed. The Guidelines G1 concerns sediment reception facilities, which according to the Convention, should be provided by the parties of the Convention. The Guidelines G5 refers to the ballast water reception facilities, which parties of the Convention are not obligated to provide. Within the Baltic Sea region the ballast water reception facilities may appear to be relevant. The Baltic Sea does not meet the depth and distance from the shore requirements posed by the Regulation B-4 of the Convention. Moreover, the designation of the special areas, where the ship may conduct the ballast water exchange, in the Baltic Sea region, taking into account the Guidelines G14, may not be possible, because it might increase the risk of species introductions to nearby coasts. Therefore, by the time of the complete introduction of the onboard ballast water treatment systems, the ballast water reception facilities may be needed in the Baltic ports.