IMO warns of alien invaders in ballast water
The International Maritime Organization is expected to adopt a new international convention to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms carried by ships’ ballast water, at a conference Feb. 9-13 at the IMO’s London headquarters.
Calling the organisms “alien invaders” that could cause “potentially devastating effects,” the IMO said such “pathogens … can distort and destroy the very delicate balance which exists in the ecosystem of the region where the ballast water is unloaded.”
The proposed new instrument will have two tiers. The first tier includes mandatory requirements, applying to all ships, for ballast water management procedures. The second tier would give IMO member nations the option to take additional measures before ships would be allowed to enter their ports.
The IMO is the United Nations agency responsible for safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution from ships.