Maritime Risk International
Ballast treaty comes into force
The IMO has reminded the shipping sector that amendments to an international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of potentially
invasive species in ships’ ballast water entered into force on 13 October 2019. Ships regularly take on sea water, in tanks,
to ensure their stability. Known as ballast water, this can contain many aquatic species, including in microscopic or larval
form. These can become invasive and harmful if the ballast water is released, unmanaged, in a new location at the end of an
ocean voyage.